Ferrari: No fears over driver rivalry

Raikkonen is determined to make amends for his disappointing 2008 campaign this year, having upped his training over the winter and lost some weight, and that could make for an intense time alongside the ever-improving Massa.

With fresh memories of the way Massa lost out on the world title last year by just one point, there is a clear risk of two fully competitive drivers taking points off each other.

However, Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali says the team are sure there will be no difficulties in handling two men at the top of their game as they bid to take on expected rivals McLaren, BMW-Sauber and Renault.

"Last year we didn't lose a single point due to mismanagement by our drivers," said Domenicali at Ferrari's ski camp media event at Madonna di Campiglio on Wednesday,

"The team works for both drivers and if we can give them a competitive car - as we hope we do - we won't have any psychological pressure from inside."

Domenicali says he has no doubts that Massa has now matured into a serious title contender on the back of the progress he made as a driver last year. And it means embarrassing errors, like his spins in Australia and Malaysia, are now a thing of the past.

"I've met a very fresh and motivated Felipe Massa," said Domenicali. "He matured a lot over the last season. His strong point over these years was that he always believed in himself.

"I think he's mentally ready and mature enough to manage the pressure, from inside and outside."

Domenicali also believes that Raikkonen is fired up to return to form in 2009.

"Kimi can't wait to get back into the car and he'll have the possibility at Portimao," continued Domenicali. "He wants to show that he's himself again, after President Montezemolo's joke, that it was his twin brother driving by the end of the season.

"Kimi has and always had an enormous capacity: knowing how to detach himself. This allows him not to feel any pressure from outside."

Domenicali reiterated his comments from the launch of the team's new F60 at Mugello on Monday that he was predicting a tough championship because of the new regulations.

"We must remain with the feet on the ground, because it will be a very difficult championship," he said. "Looking ahead will also be required from our partners, especially from Marlboro, with whom we're sharing a common project.

"It will be fundamental to be immediately competitive and to invest in reliability and in simulation, which is very useful, because the results can also be used in the road car production."

Looking further to the future, Domenicali would not be drawn on renewed speculation that Fernando Alonso has signed an option with the team for 2011.

"I think it's difficult to add anything else to what has been said as far as this issue is concerned," he said. "Our drivers have signed contracts, even if President Montezemolo has said 'wait and see'. Fernando is a great driver, but we're extremely happy with the drivers we have."