Raikkonen getting to know his car

The new Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Media unit made its debut in the Barcelona paddock and the honour of staging the first press conference inside it went to Kimi Raikkonen, who began by talking about last week's test at this Circuit de Catalunya.

"We had a good test here and found several things that seem to make the car more suited to me, but of course you never know until you have experienced it in a race weekend, even if I am pretty sure it really is better," he began."

"The new parts, particularly aerodynamic ones have made the difference and the car now does what I want it to do. We got a better understanding of what to do in terms of tyres for the one lap qualifying situation, whereas in the races tyres had not been a problem so far."

Always looking for an angle that might not exist, the Finn was asked about his relationship with Felipe Massa. "It is as good as it has always been since I came here," he said. "He is my team-mate but also a competitor as is always the case in Formula 1."

It is fair to say that this year the two championships are looking closer than in past years and Raikkonen does not expect this situation to end soon. "With all of us so close, it could go on like this for most of the season with someone only getting the advantage if the others drop back. Hopefully, that won't be us."

One of the main talking points in the paddock is that this weekend, the retired seven times world champion, Michael Schumacher will be making his first appearance at a grand prix this year, although he has been to a test session. Would the presence of the man he replaced be a help or a hindrance?

"Michael is still very much part of the team," maintained Raikkonen. "He is involved with what we do and so it is natural for him to be here. I am sure he will be useful for us this weekend. Certainly he will be able to give us some good advice, but at the end of the day, I am the one who drives the car!"

-credit: ferrari