Strong signs

The Finn won the first race of 2007, on his Ferrari debut, but then went through a slump before coming back strongly with three wins in the last four races. He won six times in all.

"It's a new season but it's with the same team, so it's going to be much easier for me and much easier for the team," he said.

The signs from preseason testing are that Ferrari will be the team to beat, with Italian Toyota driver Jarno Trulli going so far as to suggest that the championship was as good as over.

Raikkonen set a blistering pace in Ferrari's Bahrain test in February, lapping more than two seconds faster than Massa's 2007 Bahrain Grand Prix pole position time.

The Brazilian, who got married since the end of last season, was equally impressive in Barcelona at the end of February.

"I am happy about my car," Massa said at that final test of the season. "I think we are doing a good job. I don't know if we are first, second or third but I think we are heading in the right direction."

(Agencies via China Daily March 4, 2008)