Raikkonen: Ferrari in a good position

Ferrari have been, along with rivals McLaren, among the fastest and more consistent runners during pre-season testing, leaving Raikkonen upbeat about their form. The Finn is also cautious, though.

"You can't tell until you've run on different tracks and until the Ferrari is in its final configuration. But we are in a good position," Raikkonen told Gazzetta dello Sport following this week's test at Barcelona.

The Finn added: "To win it you need every element sorted out. I want to win it for myself and for the team. It's not the pressure from outside pushing me to do more."

Raikkonen was joined by Michael Schumacher, the man he is replacing at Ferrari, during the final day of testing yesterday.

"We exchanged a few words, we didn't have much time," he added. "I had to get back to work on the track. I didn't even know he would have come. The last time I saw him was at the presentation of the car. But I hadn't yet driven a Ferrari then."

The Finn also admitted he didn't know Schumacher would retire from Formula One when he signed for Ferrari last year, and claimed he would have joined the team even if the German driver had stayed on.

"Yes," said Raikkonen when asked if he would have joined Schumacher at Ferrari. "I've never been in the position to decide who my teammate is. I've never asked any team who I would be teamed with."