It won't be a McLaren-Ferrari walkover this year - Raikkonen predicts open season

The two teams thoroughly dominated Formula One last year, winning all 17 grands prix between them, and with Raikkonen six of those en route to lifting the title.

McLaren star Lewis Hamilton and Raikkonen have so far shared the spoils in the first two races this year in Australia and Malaysia.

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Yet BMW Sauber have been hot on their heels, with Nick Heidfeld a runner-up at Melbourne's Albert Park, while Robert Kubica finished second at the Sepang Circuit 10 days ago.

As far as Raikkonen is concerned, there are three teams and six drivers in the hunt for the two championships.

"It's much too early to make any kind of conclusion as to who is who," said Raikkonen.

"We will have to wait a few more races more to get the picture as to who are the main contenders for the title, but it's going to be as tight as it was last year.

"It's a battle between three teams instead of two because whilst Ferrari and McLaren might have won the first two races, let's not forget BMW have had two second places.

"So any slip up by Ferrari and McLaren and they will be there to pick up the points. This time you really have to fight for every point you get."

Raikkonen heads into this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix as race favourite after his dominating performance in Malaysia. But if he is to take the chequered flag, he knows he will need a change of fortune at the Sakhir Circuit.

"I have finished third in the last three grands prix in Bahrain," added Raikkonen. "Time and again something has gone wrong, so Sakhir is now one of those circuits where I really want to win - finally. We should have enough speed to fight for the win, and Ferrari has traditionally been strong there."

Ferrari have an advantage over their rivals as they - along with Toyota - tested at a circuit that is situated in the middle of a desert in February. The sand can often play havoc, as Raikkonen will testify, but the Finn is at least confident given his testing performance a couple of months ago.

"I really like this circuit because it differs from the others, but while there you feel like you are playing in a sandbox," smiled Raikkonen. "It is just one giant sandbox because no matter where you are you just see sand, and you feel it too, in your hair.

"But our test in February will do us no harm, although now it is different weather, different circuit and, obviously, our car is different, too. We have improved our car since that test, so it should be better there, but the competitors are not far behind and they all know the place. That's for sure."