(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-01-07 09:21

MARANELLO, Italy - World champion Kimi Raikkonen expects a fun season this year with more overtaking given Formula One's new rules outlawing traction control.

Ferrari drivers Kimi Raikkonen (L) and Felipe Massa sit alongside the new Ferrari F2008 racecar after it was unveiled in Maranello, Italy. Raikkonen believes that his thrilling, last-gap Formula One triumph in 2007 can provide the platform for a title repeat this season. [Agencies]

Other enforced changes include gearbox and driver protection innovations which mean Ferrari's F2008 car, unveiled at their base in northern Italy on Sunday, is heavier this year.

The weight distribution and wheelbase have also been altered after lessons learned from the performance of the Bridgestone tyres last year while there is an almost completely new aerodynamic design which will be developed further.

But the lack of traction control and the potential for more crashes is the biggest issue for the world champions ahead of the first race in Melbourne on March 16.

"Now traction control is not going to help you but for me it will be a lot more fun. I think there will be an easier chance to overtake as people will make more mistakes," Raikkonen told a news conference.

"The sport is dangerous anyway. It doesn't matter if you have traction control or not. If you think it is too dangerous you probably shouldn't be in the sport. It is more tricky for sure, you need to be awake more of the time."

The Finn's team mate Felipe Massa was less positive about the changes and said drivers had asked for safety assurances from the FIA, Formula One's governing body.

"We had an email exchange but we haven't tested the car yet. The GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers' Association) has for sure been trying to increase safety levels. This is a very important change. It will have to be a smoother driving style," said the Brazilian, who was still enamoured with the new Ferrari.

"My expectations are very high. When you first look at the car it is a special moment. It is like seeing a child being born. Now we have to let this child grow and grow as quickly as possible."

Both drivers said it was too early to tell who their main challengers would be this season given the new rules and Fernando Alonso moving from McLaren back to Renault, who struggled last year.

Photographers were banned from the launch and specifications in the brochure were minimal given last season's spy scandal where McLaren were docked all their constructor points and fined $100 million for possessing Ferrari technical information.

Former Ferrari employee Nigel Stepney was accused of leaking the information and legal proceedings against him continue. New director of operations Mario Almondo is pulling out all the stops to avoid a repeat.

"The IT safety level in the company has been increased a lot in recent years. Everyone visiting Ferrari has to sign a confidentiality agreement," he said.

"We are working very hard on this aspect as some of the employees have a superficial approach. This is a never-ending job."

Despite the pressure of being world champion, Raikkonen said this season would be easier as he was more used to the team and they were more comfortable with him in his second year there.

He will take out the new car on Monday and is keen to get back to action, saying a Formula One driver's Christmas stocking is rather empty.

"I don't really need anything. I'm happy to get over Christmas. It's quite boring really," he said.