The world champion had to claw back an almighty points deficit to long-time championship leader Lewis Hamilton in 2007 to claim a maiden crown after a first half of the campaign blighted by several poor races and mechanical problems.

But he is confident that won’t be the case in 2008 with a year of experience at the Italian squad under his belt.

"Coming to this new season, it's hopefully going to be more easy-going, the first part of the season, than it was last year,” he told the press at Ferrari’s winter skiing event in Madonna di Campiglio.

“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.

“So I wish we can have a slightly stronger start to the year and then we will go from there."

Raikkonen drove Ferrari’s new F2008 car for the first time at Fiorano on Monday ahead of its full test debut at Jerez next week.

And after a successful opening shakedown, the Finn is looking forward to the more extensive run out in Spain.

"I think it's going to be a normal test for us,” he said.

“The car ran very well in Fiorano but of course the conditions were not ideal.

“It's hard to say exactly how you feel about the car, but for me the feeling was very good so that's the only way I can tell.

“I think we are going to see next week in Jerez when we take the car on a normal circuit and then we see.

“Hopefully the weather will be good.

“We will have two cars so we hope to have good running and a lot of laps so then we will see."