This morning, at the Fiorano circuit, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro debuted the F2008, the car with which it will compete in this year's Formula 1 World Championship. During the course of the day, Kimi Raikkonen completed 55 laps, all on the long version of the track, the quickest one in a time of 1.00.897.

"The first impressions of the new car were very positive," said Kimi Raikkonen to the press after his first outing with the F2008 on the Fiorano circuit on wet tarmac. "I don't think we have to make any improvements at the moment. There were some problems today and we still don't have the final tyres; but the impression was really fine. Next week we have further possibilities to see how the car behaves."

The Finnish driver replied to the question if a lower and maybe shorter car, without traction control, could influence its driveability: "I don't have many points of reference. I can only compare it to the last car. I did a test without traction control before Christmas and I have to say that first of all you have to drive very cautiously and consider that a car with traction control is fast and might respond a little bit faster," said Raikkonen who drove a total of 55 laps on standard rain tyres. "Surely the first impression is really positive and you can handle the car even without the traction control. The weather could have been better today, but it is really nice to drive this single-seater."

The Scuderia will be back on track on 14th January at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit, with both its race drivers, Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen at the wheel of an F2008.

Test Details: Circuit: Fiorano track, 2.976 km - short course 1.413 km; Driver: Kimi Raikkonen; Car: F2008; Weather: air temperature 2/3 °C, track 4 °C. Misty, damp track.