Testing here is definitely not a disadvantage - Raikkonen

A fortnight ago in Malaysia, it was impossible to hold press meetings out doors, so hot and humid were the conditions. But today, the Sakir circuit in Bahrain put on its best possible weather with pleasantly warm conditions and a slight cooling breeze, as Sepang winner Kimi Raikkonen met the media this afternoon.

Looking back at the last race, the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver was asked how straightforward it had been winning it by getting ahead of his team-mate during the pit stops. "I would always rather start from pole as it makes life easier, but when I don't start from the number one position, you have to look at the best way of taking the lead," said Raikkonen. "This method has worked out a few times for me also in the past, but I prefer to be at the front at the start if possible!"

The Scuderia and Toyota were the only two teams to have run at this circuit, back in February, so would this give Kimi a head start this weekend? "We tested here early in the winter and I had a good feeling about the car back then, but Formula 1 moves so quickly that a couple of months later, everything could be completely different," he maintained. "The car is not the same today, it has evolved and the weather is different as it is warmer now. So we must wait and see what happens in the first practice on Friday. Testing here before is definitely not a disadvantage and yes, it will help a bit. But by the end of tomorrow, when everyone has done some running, any advantage will disappear."

Time has gone quickly for Raikkonen since the last race: "I went home and just relaxed and trained and then came here to get used to the climate," he revealed. "I like Bahrain and it's a nice place to come, even if in racing terms, it has not always been the best place for me. But I like the circuit and the people are very friendly, and the facilities are nice and new so it is easier for all the team personnel to get on with their work in good conditions." As for the pecking order on the track, he did not see anything changing much from the opening two rounds. "I think we have a good chance of being very competitive here and I am sure we will be fighting McLaren and BMW but I hope I can be ahead of them both here." While Raikkonen has picked up points in the first two races, Felipe Massa has had a difficult time in Melbourne and Sepang, but Raikkonen has not written off his team-mate as a rival. "Felipe has not had the easiest start to the season, but it is still early days and many things can happen to either of us. Let's wait and see how this first part of the season goes as I am sure the situation can change."