Analysis: Raikkonen enters a new world

He thought the Finn, who made his track debut in red at the Vallelunga test circuit near Rome this week, was behaving like a new man already.

"I saw Kimi in a couple of interviews and he looks different to last year, much more concentrated and focused," the Italian told Reuters at the launch of the champions' new car in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

How Raikkonen will fit in as Michael Schumacher's replacement has been one of Formula One's talking points since Ferrari confirmed the 27-year-old's signing at Monza last September.

Some see a bumpy ride ahead, with the party-loving Finn a very different character to the extraordinary German who effectively moulded the team around him and commanded intense loyalty.

Others, such as Schumacher's former teammate Rubens Barrichello, saw no reason why he should not feel at home straight away.

"I think the Ferrari is an easy car to adapt to," the Brazilian said on Thursday after Honda presented their new car at the Circuit de Catalunya.

"When I joined the team in 2000, the car was extremely easy to drive. Although there are many changes now without Michael there and without (technical director) Ross (Brawn), I don't know if it will make such a change.

"He's definitely a good driver and will adapt quite well."

Ultimately, speed is what matters.

Raikkonen has that in abundance and is also a quick learner. Schumacher saw that for himself when the Finn had his first test with Sauber back in 2000.

The 'Iceman' arrives with Schumacher's evident approval, the German having long marked him down as a suitable heir apparent.

Having replaced double champion Mika Hakkinen at McLaren at the end of 2001, Raikkonen will not be overawed by taking over from the most successful driver in the history of the sport.

He can count on the admiration and support of team boss Jean Todt, whose previous career in the world rally championship brought him into regular contact with Raikkonen's compatriots.

The question marks are more to do with commitment, character and the fact his Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa suddenly looks more of a handful than many expected before last season.

Schumacher had legendary status for his single-minded pursuit of perfection. He would often stay late in the evening talking to engineers and scanning the data. His feedback was priceless.

Raikkonen is more of a throwback to the old days, a hugely talented driver who likes to get into the car and wring its neck. He does not hang around, on or off the track.

Ferrari's style of protecting their drivers from the media glare will suit a man whose private life has made a fair few headlines. Italy's long tradition of paparazzi photographers will not.

Schumacher, first with Eddie Irvine and then Barrichello and Massa, had acquiescent teammates. Raikkonen cannot count on that, even if he is the new star.

Massa, given a one-year contract after Barrichello jumped to Honda, did his reputation no end of good with two victories last year.

"I never believed Massa was so good," said Renault team boss Flavio Briatore in Amsterdam.

"I thought he was a kind of idiot. But give him the right car, he was terrific. And in two or three races he was really performing."

Many people still think Raikkonen will blow Massa away in qualifying in Melbourne, and then steadily erode his confidence over the season. But that may just be fantasy. The young Brazilian has a few trump cards.

He is managed by Todt's son Nicolas, has learned a lot from Schumacher and speaks fluent Italian whereas Raikkonen could never be described as a conversationalist in any foreign language.

The youngster of the team, he is also popular within Ferrari after spending 2003 as a test driver.

While Raikkonen was testing last year's car at Vallelunga, Massa has been getting to grips with the new one.

Raikkonen has plenty of work to do and all the time Massa will be watching him and learning from him.

If Fisichella is correct, the future looks bright for the Finn but there are sure to be occasional squalls ahead.