Kimi Raikkonen says Ferrari starts 2015 F1 season 'much stronger'

The Scuderia managed just two podiums last season, its worst haul for more than 20 years, and finished fourth in the constructors' championship.

But the Italian team has shown good form in pre-season testing, which has led to the likes of world champion team Mercedes and Williams acknowledging it as a threat.

"We feel better overall as a team and I'm sure we are much more ready for this year," said Raikkonen, who finished a career-worst 12th in the drivers' standings last season.

"We are in a much stronger position. We still have work to do to get to where we want to - but that's part of the game.

"I think we have to be happy with where we are in testing and comparing where we finished last year.

"We have done a good job, but we have to wait and see if it is good enough or how far away we are."

Team-mate Sebastian Vettel agreed that the team has made progress and is performing well following sweeping management changes in which long-time president Luca di Montezemolo and team principal Marco Mattiacci departed.

"It depends on the form of the other teams as well but I think we've made a step," said the four-time world champion.

"Generally, the atmosphere is very positive. Obviously there has been a lot of change over the winter but people have been working very hard.

"We have definitely improved as a team, so now we'll see [how much] when we get the chance to put the car on the track."