Raikkonen: Ferrari better than F1 Australian GP showing

The Finn and team-mate Fernando Alonso had hoped to be able to finish on the podium in Melbourne, but endured a difficult weekend where the Scuderia did not quite have the pace needed.

However, Raikkonen thinks that improvements to track operations, and the elimination of mistakes like his spin in qualifying, are enough to lift it closer to the front.

"If we can run a weekend without any issues and the race without problems I am sure we can be much stronger," he said.

"This is how it was here [with both cars suffering issues during the race] and hopefully we can sort out most of the things for the next race."

When asked in which areas of the car he felt specific improvements needed to be made, he said: "We had a pretty good idea before [Australia] where we are, and obviously we are not where we want to be.

"I think it is bit everywhere. On the car side and the engine side we probably have to improve.

"But putting things exactly right throughout the race weekend, making no mistakes - that will already make a big difference."