Raikkonen: I’ll be 100% from the start

Speaking at Autosport International 2001, the 21-year-old - a veteran of just 23 car races and the reigning British Formula Renault Champion - said: "I don't just want to drive slowly and learn the tracks. All the time I want to be at 100% and driving as quickly as I possibly can."

Raikkonen caused controversy when he was granted an FIA superlicence by motorsport's governing body, despite having no experience in Formula 3 or Formula 3000, F1's usual feeder formulae. But the Finn believes he can deliver performances to justify Sauber's belief in him.

"Sure, I have only done 23 races, but before that I spent 13 years in karts," he said. "Everybody has their own comments, but it's okay by me. I will try and score some points, but that's the aim of everybody else out there, so it will be hard."

With Sauber remaining on Bridgestone rubber for the 2001 season, Raikkonen believes his best chance at putting points on the board could be in the early races, as newcomer Michelin adjusts to F1.

"It's good for me that Sauber has stayed on Bridgestone," he said, "and even though it will still be hard, those early races will definitely be easier to take points in."

Raikkonen shook down Sauber's 2001 car, the C20, at Fiorano last Thursday and will test it again in Spain next week. But increasing familiarity with the car is not matched by his knowledge of the circuits: the Finn has yet to sample the majority of the series' venues, but has ruled out the PlayStation approach to learning.

"I'll play racing games for fun and to see which way the corners go," he said, "but it's always very different when you're at 300km/h for real. But I think I learn circuits pretty quickly anyway."