DECEMBER 21, 2000

Raikkonen optimistic after Barcelona test

FORMULA ONE's newest recruit Kimi Raikkonen has expressed his optimism ahead of his first season in the sport after a three-day test in Barcelona with his Sauber team.

Finn Raikkonen, who was awarded a superlicence in early December, said he feels that he is getting quicker with every outing in the Swiss team's car.

Raikkonen, 21, will partner Nick Heidfeld at Sauber next season and, despite criticism that he has come into Grand Prix racing too early, he is adamant that he will be ready come the opening race in Australia in March.

"It is good for me that I am still going a little bit faster every day in the car," said Raikkonen. "I am getting confident now when driving an F1 car. It is a good sign.

"I passed my 2000 kilometer mark in the car on Thursday and we have gathered a lot of useful data which will help with the new car in 2001. That is very important."