Kimi Raikkonen says that the new Ferrari is a big step forward from the car with which the team finished last season.

The Finn, taking over from teammate Sebastian Vettel, was second fastest today in testing at Jerez after running 92 laps, only behind the soft tyred-shod Sauber of Felipe Nasr.

"It was a positive first day, a lot of improvements in areas where we had difficulties," Raikkonen said.

"And obviously it's just a first day, and unfortunately the weather was pretty bad today. Somehow the circuit stayed damp for most of the day, but I think we had good running and we got some mileage.

"The whole package is quite a bit better than how we finished last year. Now we've improved in all areas.

"It's just the first day, the first day, and there are a lot of things to do, and a lot of things to try and improve, but it's definitely a positive start and we have something to work with."

Not getting carried away just yet

Raikkonen warned however that it was still very early to get carried away.

"It's too early to speak about results. Like I said we had a good, positive first day, and Sebastian had a good couple of days," he said.

"We'll try to do our best, and I'm sure if we keep doing our work as a team we'll push forward as a team with two cars, improving things, we can get some good results.

"hat it will be, time will tell. We definitely going in the right direction, for sure, that's the good thing. We'll have to wait and see in the races."

Enjoying his new team-mate Vettel

Asked by Motorsport.com about having his friend Vettel as a teammate, he said: "We have a good relationship and I think we can push the team forward, and obviously try to beat each other on the circuit.

"I'm sure we'll have some fun. The atmosphere in the team is already very good, and hopefully we'll get some good results this year that will help the situation. So far, so good, but it's early days."