Schumacher wasted no time getting back up to speed after his break

After an extended winter break, he set an impressive pace in his 2004 Ferrari at Spain's Circuit de Catalunya.

Schumacher recorded the fastest time of the day and his one minute 14.815 second lap was 2.21secs faster than Mark Webber's year-old Williams.

Schumacher said he "really enjoyed the feeling" of being back in the cockpit.

"It felt good to be at the track again," he added.

The weather delayed his return until late morning because of cold and damp conditions at the track near Barcelona.

The Ferrari team flew to Spain from Rome where where they had presented Pope John Paul with a model F2004 car during an audience at the Vatican.

We've got to make sure the red thing doesn't win as often as it has Mark Webber Williams driver Ferrari to unleash new car in May

Schumacher and team-mate Rubens Barrichello will open the season in Australia on 6 March with a modified version of last season's machine and the Italian team do not plan to use their new car until the Spanish Grand Prix on 8 May.

Webber is optimistic about Williams' chances in 2005 despite Schumacher's pace.

"Williams had a season that was below par (in 2004)," the Australian said.

"But Frank (Williams, team principal), Patrick (Head, director of engineering) and BMW are driven individuals, they love competing and they love winning. This will galvanise them more to compete in 2005. "We've got to make sure the red thing (Ferrari) doesn't win as often as it has!"

Webber, who has moved to Williams from Jaguar, said his winter testing programme has gone reasonably well so far.

"Testing has not been so bad but testing is one thing and racing is another," he said.

"We've got to deliver from Melbourne onwards, which means winning races, and it's going to be tough.