Raikkonen happy with 2016 car

Kimi Raikkonen has warned title rivals Mercedes that his new Ferrari car is a marked improvement on 2015.

The Finn got behind the wheel for the first time today and, although he had a fuel system problem in the morning, he set the third quickest time.

Raikkonen struggled in comparison to team-mate Sebastian Vettel – who won three races as the Italian side became the second quickest on the grid- last season but is in a buoyant mood ahead of the new year.

"I'm sure the car is already better than what we had last year," Raikkonen said.

"We improved in many areas and it's very early days, especially for me, with the car.

"There's no problem, and we haven't changed a single thing on the front. I'm happy so far, but there is still a lot of things to put in there.

"Just jumping in the car, not doing anything to it and driving, it's not too bad, it's pretty OK, so I'm sure we can find some things."

Despite Raikkonen’s bullish mood, Mercedes look like being the dominant team again in 2016 as their car piled on the mileage again today.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will start as the overwhelming favourites next month, when the season kicks off in Australia.

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