Today the 2012 Formula 1 season got underway at the Spanish Jerez de la Frontera circuit with the first of a series of official test days. With only a few exceptions, all of the new cars hit the track this morning. One of the most highly anticipated of these was the Red Bull Racing RB8, which replaces the all-conquering RB7. Penned by Adrian Newey, it is a development of the existing design with accommodations made for the new regulations like the stepped nose and re-routed exhausts. Mark Webber piloted the car at the test but he was not the fastest driver. That honour went to returnee Kimi Raikkonen, who placed the Lotus E20 Renault on the top of the time-sheets. The former Renault team uses this type name to celebrate 20 years of building cars at the Enstone factory. Like the Red Bull and Lotus, the Williams FW34 also uses Renault's successful RS27 V8 engine. The new car marks the rebirth of the hugely successful Williams/Renault partnership. Hopefully this will help the British team bounce back after the worst season in its 35 year history. Completing the most laps today was Kamui Kobayashi in the Sauber C31. Like last year, the Swiss team will use Ferrari's V8 but now mated to a brand new longitudinal gearbox. Testing will continue tomorrow and there are several more sessions planned before the season opening Australian Grand Prix in March.

Enjoy the links:

2012 Lotus E20 Renault - Images, Specifications and Information

2012 Nissan Invitation Concept - Images, Specifications and Information

2012 Red Bull Racing RB8 Renault - Images, Specifications and Information

2012 Sauber C31 Ferrari - Images, Specifications and Information

2012 Williams FW34 Renault - Images, Specifications and Information