Raikkonen out to break Bahrain duck

The Ferrari driver, winner of the Malaysian Grand Prix nine days ago, has never finished higher than third at the Sakhir circuit.

But following his strong display at Sepang, the Finn reckons he will be able to break the duck.

"I have finished third in three successive Grands Prix in Bahrain. Time and again something has gone wrong. Sakhir is one of those circuits where I really want to win. Finally," said Raikkonen in a Ferrari preview.

"Obviously, we should have speed enough to fight for the top place in Bahrain, too. I have a good touch with that circuit and Ferrari has traditionally been strong there."

Raikkonen's Ferrari team, along with Toyota, spent six days testing in Bahrain during the winter, but the world champion does not believe it will the Italian squad a big edge over their rivals.

"I have had some good races in Bahrain, but no win so far," he added. "The testing in February went very well this year and I'm looking forward to racing in Bahrain again and to challenge for the win.

"Obviously, our test in February does not harm us. But, of course, now it is different weather, different circuit and, obviously, our car is different, too.

"We have improved our car after the Bahrain test, so it should be better there. But the competitors are not far behind. All the teams know the place. That's for sure."

The Finn, three points behind championship leader Lewis Hamilton, reckons it's still too early to judge the field's form.

He warns, however, that BMW are now a force to be reckoned with at the front.

"Never mind the championship. It's much too early to make any kind of conclusions who is who," he said. "We have to wait some races more to get the picture who are the main contenders for the title.

"It's going to be as tight as it was last year. That is for sure. Now it's the battle between three teams instead of two. Ferrari and McLaren have won the first two races, but let's not forget that BMW have had two second places.

"So any slip up by Ferrari and McLaren and they will be there to pick up the points. This time you really have to fight for every point you get."