Title holder Sebastian Vettel gave a cautious outlook for the 2011 Formula One season on Tuesday, only to dominate the first round of pre-season training a few hours later.
Vettel posted 1 minute 13.769 seconds in the new Red Bull RB7 on the Valencia track to lead the way from fellow-German Force India test driver Nico Hulkenberg, who clocked 1:13.938 minutes.
Record champion Michael Schumacher had to settle for ninth in 1:16.450 minutes in the new Mercedes after earlier expressing his belief that he (and Mercedes) will improve in his second season out of retirement.
While Vettel had 93 laps, Schumacher managed only 15 because the team had to repair a hydraulics problem which stopped team-mate Nico Rosberg in the morning.
The first tests came after Mercedes, Red Bull and their sister team Toro Rosso unveiled their new cars earlier in the day.
Vettel became the youngest F1 champion last year at age 23 when he stole the title from Ferrari's Fernando Alonso in the last race. Team-mate Mark Webber came third on the championship and Red Bull also won the constructors' title.
"It definitely looks very interesting," said Vettel about his new car as Red Bull followed a new trend with a higher nose.
Vettel said that he and the team were immensely proud of the achievements in 2010, but didn't want to predict another glorious season.
"Everyone has the same chance to win the title ... It's a long season ahead of us. It will be a tough battle and a long, hard fight," he said.
Team principal Christian Horner struck a similar note, saying Red Bull will enter the season in a confident but not arrogant way. Horner also said that the RB7 was built in record time.
Schumacher, meanwhile, has an unrivalled seven world titles and 91 race wins but had to settle for ninth in 2010, behind Rosberg who came seventh, and never made the podium.
Schumacher, 42, believes the new MGP W02 is a competitive silver arrow and team boss Ross Brawn bluntly named it "unrecognizable" from the 2010 model after many changes.
"We have said it several times already, but we are really building up something big together. I am very confident that this season we will be standing on the podium much more regularly - ideally in the middle," said Schumacher.
A group of Schumacher fans was equally optimistic, raising a banner reading "Schumi we trust in you. It's time for the 8."
Ferrari had started the unveiling on Friday while Renault, Sauber and Lotus followed on Monday. McLaren, with ex-champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, will present their 2011 car on Friday in Berlin. The Valencia tests run until Thursday and are the first of four chances for the 12 teams to get ready for the 20-race season starting on March 13 in Bahrain.
But not all teams are using the model, and results are no real indication of a team's strength as the fine-tuning has only just started.
Teams and drivers must get used to new rubbers as Pirelli have replaced Bridgestone as tyre suppliers.
The 2011 season also sees the return of the Kers power-boosting system which is to make overtaking easier, just as moveable rear wings.
Vettel posted 1 minute 13.769 seconds in the new Red Bull RB7 on the Valencia track to lead the way from fellow-German Force India test driver Nico Hulkenberg, who clocked 1:13.938 minutes.
Record champion Michael Schumacher had to settle for ninth in 1:16.450 minutes in the new Mercedes after earlier expressing his belief that he (and Mercedes) will improve in his second season out of retirement.
While Vettel had 93 laps, Schumacher managed only 15 because the team had to repair a hydraulics problem which stopped team-mate Nico Rosberg in the morning.
The first tests came after Mercedes, Red Bull and their sister team Toro Rosso unveiled their new cars earlier in the day.
Vettel became the youngest F1 champion last year at age 23 when he stole the title from Ferrari's Fernando Alonso in the last race. Team-mate Mark Webber came third on the championship and Red Bull also won the constructors' title.
"It definitely looks very interesting," said Vettel about his new car as Red Bull followed a new trend with a higher nose.
Vettel said that he and the team were immensely proud of the achievements in 2010, but didn't want to predict another glorious season.
"Everyone has the same chance to win the title ... It's a long season ahead of us. It will be a tough battle and a long, hard fight," he said.
Team principal Christian Horner struck a similar note, saying Red Bull will enter the season in a confident but not arrogant way. Horner also said that the RB7 was built in record time.
Schumacher, meanwhile, has an unrivalled seven world titles and 91 race wins but had to settle for ninth in 2010, behind Rosberg who came seventh, and never made the podium.
Schumacher, 42, believes the new MGP W02 is a competitive silver arrow and team boss Ross Brawn bluntly named it "unrecognizable" from the 2010 model after many changes.
"We have said it several times already, but we are really building up something big together. I am very confident that this season we will be standing on the podium much more regularly - ideally in the middle," said Schumacher.
A group of Schumacher fans was equally optimistic, raising a banner reading "Schumi we trust in you. It's time for the 8."
Ferrari had started the unveiling on Friday while Renault, Sauber and Lotus followed on Monday. McLaren, with ex-champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, will present their 2011 car on Friday in Berlin. The Valencia tests run until Thursday and are the first of four chances for the 12 teams to get ready for the 20-race season starting on March 13 in Bahrain.
But not all teams are using the model, and results are no real indication of a team's strength as the fine-tuning has only just started.
Teams and drivers must get used to new rubbers as Pirelli have replaced Bridgestone as tyre suppliers.
The 2011 season also sees the return of the Kers power-boosting system which is to make overtaking easier, just as moveable rear wings.
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