Renault made its return to Formula One yesterday (22 February) as Briton Jolyon Palmer had the honour of hitting the track for the first time during pre-season testing in Barcelona. 

The French manufacturer unveiled its R.S.16 challenger in front of the world's media shortly before the green lights came on at the Circuit de Catalunya. Jolyon was soon on circuit as he completed a series of installation laps, which is often common procedure when a new car breaks cover. 

The theme continued throughout the morning, however, meaning Jolyon was only able to complete a handful of laps. A prolonged period in the pits followed as Jolyon claimed the team were busy overcoming electrical "niggles". 

He did eventually produce some further installation laps in the last hour of running, before setting a short, sharp, flurry of timed laps. The former GP2 champion saved his best until last as he set a 1:29.365s lap time as the chequered flag fell to haul his machine closer towards the rest of the pack. However, given his lack of running the time was not at all representative.

Jolyon said: "It was great to take to the track for the first time in the car I will race this season. We didn't have too exciting a programme to run through today and it was somewhat disjointed, but it was the first day of testing and we've completed valuable aspects of the pre-season build-up today. I'm looking forward to getting more running in the car tomorrow."

With the first day of the new campaign out of the way Jolyon will be hoping to clock up some serious mileage when he gets back behind the wheel tomorrow. 

Results - Day 1 of pre-season testing, Barcelona:

1) Vettel 1m24.939s
2) Hamilton 1m25.409s (+0.470s)
3) Ricciardo 1m26.044s (+1.105s)
4) Bottas 1m26.091s (+1.152s)
5) Celis 1m26.298s (+1.359s)
6) Button 1m26.735s (+1.796s)
7) Sainz 1m27.180s (+2.241s)
8) Ericsson 1m27.555s (+2.616s)
9) Wehrlein 1m28.292s (+3.353s)
10) Grosjean 1m28.399s (+3.460s)
11) Palmer 1m29.356s (+4.417s) 

You can keep up to date with all of the action from Spain right here on Jolyon's official website and be sure to follow the man himself for updates via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.