Felipe Massa was the first driver to represent Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro at an official FIA press conference when he faced the media in today's meeting at the Albert Park track. "Last year was a great experience, learning to fight at the front of the field," said the Brazilian as he was first asked how he had changed since the 2006 season. "But I still expect to improve race by race." The strong performance and high mileage covered by the F2007 this winter has put the Scuderia in the position of favourite in the eyes of the media, but Massa played down these suggestions. "We got stronger and stronger during the winter, ending with the Bahrain test and so of course there are high expectations," he commented. "So I hope we can continue in the same direction especially here in the first race. But racing is different to testing so we must wait and see."

While good testing is prompting the press to build up the Scuderia's chances, they have portrayed as negative the departure of Schumacher, Brawn and Martinelli. Again, Felipe chose to disagree: "It is a big change, however the people who have new responsibilities now had important positions last year. The same people have built the F2007 who built last year's car, and I trust the engineers and I trust the team."

Massa was also keen to dismiss the idea that he will be quicker than his new team-mate. "Again, I say testing is not racing. Kimi is a very quick and strong driver and I expect him to be a very tough competitor, while we work as a team to get the best out of the car. I do not feel I am favourite to win the title and I never will. I just want to do my job day by day. Things can change very quickly in F1 and there are seventeen races to go, so I am just planning to keep my feet on the ground and work hard."

Following Massa, a small piece of history was made today, as Kimi Raikkonen faced the media as a Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver for the first time at an actual Grand Prix weekend. And the first historic question? It was the difficult one based on suggestions that Felipe Massa has the upper hand at the moment. "We will have to wait and see what happens in the races as, in testing, it is difficult to know exactly what is going on," he replied diplomatically.
 

"We know where we are compared to the other teams and I am pretty happy with how things have gone. If we have a good car then there will be a race between us as team-mates. I think that is good. We have a good relationship," added Raikonnen.

The Finn seemed to agree that the F2007 was going to be a front runner this year. "I am happy with the way testing went and hopefully we can be up there fighting for the wins at all the races," he claimed. "Anyway, we must wait and see, but a new team, a new season, it's exciting, even if every year is difficult no matter which team you drive for. But I think we have a good package that will allow us to fight for the championships."

After several years with his previous team, Raikkonen has had just a few short months to adapt to his new home in the pit lane. "The whole package is slightly different, but the driving style is not an issue that has affected me and I have not had to change my style," he said when asked about the essential differences between the cars. "More important has been understanding how to work with the people here as the systems are different and it takes a while to work out what you want. I think I am working well with the team now but of course with more time it will get even better. I also took a little time to get used to the tyres and this was not helped by the weather which was bad at tests, until we got to Bahrain. Now, I am comfortable with them."

And finally, how did he feel having Michael Schumacher still involved with the team, or as one journalist put it, "looking over your shoulder?" "I've only met him a few times and I do my own thing. But he was with the team for a long time and his experience can be useful to us, but not necessarily with me personally."