Raikkonen still hungry to win in F1

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't have the motivation or the hunger to be here anymore in F1," Raikkonen told a news conference at Ferrari's ski retreat.

"Even if the last year wasn't exactly what we wanted, it doesn't change how much I like F1. I enjoy it. I have great team behind me and they let me go quite easily with the other things and they make everything as easy for everybody as they can.

"I'm in a very good position in that way and I'm very happy to work with the team so. I mean I am now in a contract for this year and next year and then I will see how I feel, how how the Formula One is going and then decide about the future."

The Finn won the title with Ferrari in 2007 but was then overshadowed by teammate Felipe Massa last year, when Raikkonen won just two races to the Brazilian's five.

"I made some mistakes and the team made some mistakes at some points, but that is part of racing," Raikkonen said of last season.

"Everybody makes mistakes and we go through the bad and the good times together. Sometimes there is luck involved but also the luck comes from how you work, sometimes it is with you and sometimes against you.

"It is up to me and the guys around me to get the best out of it. Sometimes you are lucky, sometimes not, but it doesn't change anything anymore so if it is something to do with luck, then hopefully this year we will have it."

Raikkonen insisted he has already put last season behind him and is determined to fight hard to regain his crown this year.

"First of all, we made some wrong choices and some mistakes. And then it took too long to recover from those. But there is no point to talk about last year, that is past, and we can't change it anymore. And the other question...

"I always try to win and hopefully we can win championships this year, but I'm not going to promise anything and put my hand on my heart because maybe it won't happen.

"We are just going to try and do the best weekend and be back on the top podium position. Like I said it is still early days so we need to do the work and hopefully it will work out."