MOTOR SPORT:Michael Schumacher returned to front-line Formula One action yesterday when he got behind the wheel of one of this year's world championshipwinning Ferrari F2007s at the first of the winter test sessions at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.
The seven-time world champion, who had not driven a grand prix car in competitive action since rounding off his career in Brazil last year, impressed observers by setting the fastest time, more than 0.2 seconds quicker than the Italian team's test driver, Luca Badoer, after 64 laps of the track, which is home to the Spanish Grand Prix.
Schumacher's brief was to assess electronic systems which will be used next year when traction control systems, widely regarded as technical aids which make life too easy for the drivers, will no longer be permitted.
There is no suggestion that the 38-year-old has any interest in a full-time racing return, although when he stopped competitive driving he committed to a deal that would involve him in road-car development for Ferrari as well as Formula One consultancy work for the team.
He found a willing disciple in Felipe Massa, but Kimi Raikkonen was less than impressed by Schumacher's counsel, correctly judging he could win the world championship without the German's assistance.
McLaren's test driver, Pedro de la Rosa, was third quickest yesterday, more than seven-tenths of a second behind Schumacher.
McLaren also worked with Britain's Gary Paffett, and both he and De la Rosa focused on running without driving aids on the MP4-22 car.
They are candidates to replace Fernando Alonso in the McLarenMercedes squad next year, although the team reiterated that they were not close to naming a new partner for Lewis Hamilton.
There were a number of new faces on show, notably four-time Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais on his debut for Toro Rosso, with the Frenchman finishing 15th-quickest of the 20 drivers.
There were two other debutants in testers Andreas Zuber for Honda and Karun Chandhok for Red Bull, with the duo 14th and 18th respectively.
Force India, formerly Spyker, brought up the rear with Giedo van der Garde and another new boy in Roldan Rodriguez 19th and 20th.
Meanwhile, RTÉ is set to broadcast extensive coverage of Rally Ireland, the Irish stage of the World Rally Championship, which is being held across the north and west of Ireland this week.
Beginning tomorrow, RTÉ Television will broadcast six programmes featuring live coverage and highlights of Rally Ireland over four days from three different locations. Presenters Michael Lyster, Peter Collins and John Kenny will be joined by special guests including Irish rally legend Billy Coleman and newly crowned FIA Junior Rookie World Rally Champion 2007, Donegal's Shaun Gallagher.
The WRC attracts an average global audience of over 50 million viewers per rally.
The four days of action kick-off with the Super Special Stage at Stormont in Belfast tomorrow.
The following three days see the rally action take to the roads of Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Roscommon, Fermanagh and Tyrone.
