Raikkonen shakes down F2008

Felipe Massa and teammate Kimi Raikkonen

(GMM) Ferrari's newly launched 2008 car made its track debut on Monday.

At precisely 10.30am at the Italian team's private Fiorano circuit, which was suffused in light fog, Kimi Raikkonen rolled the F2008 – shod with wet Bridgestone tires – onto the tarmac for a brief shakedown.

The car will be fully tested for the first time at Jerez next week.

The tifosi set off smoke bombs as Raikkonen drives by

"We are really satisfied with the new car and its modifications," Raikkonen, the 28-year-old Finn and reigning world champion, said.

"The cockpit is tighter and also the car is smaller. We have to be ready for these changes," he added.

Raikkonen said he expected his old team, McLaren, to be strong in 2008, but did not mention Renault, for whom double world champion Fernando Alonso will race this year.

"We have to see how the test sessions and the first grands prix of the season will go," he said.

"McLaren will be there for sure. And then there's BMW. It will be a difficult year."