Kimi Raikkonen has been clearly outperformed by team mate Sebastian Vettel, obviously in terms of results but also in terms of outright performance.
Vettel made it two wins out of three on Sunday in Bahrain while Raikkonen has yet to score a podium finish or out-qualify his team mate, prompting speculation about the 2007 world champion's future at the Scuderia.
Fellow Finn and former Ferrari driver Mika Salo believes that the team's new-spec SF70H does not suit his countryman's incisive style.
"I've spoken to Ferrari engineer Jock Clear and he said Kimi wants a car that is very sensitive to the first move made on the steering wheel," Salo told the Finnish broadcaster C More.
"Late last year, the car was the way Kimi wanted it and he beat Vettel on a regular basis," he added.
Ferrari tech boss Mattia Binotto considers Salo's analysis as simplistic and wide of the mark however.
"I would not say so," he is quoted as saying.
"The car is good both in aerodynamics and engine, and both of our drivers are world champions. I am sure that very soon, Kimi will be able to do a good result."
Championship leader Vettel also backed Raikkonen to bounce back this year.
"I don't know," said the German. "In the tests we were equally strong so generally I don't have an answer and I don't know what his problems have been."
GALLERY: All the action from the Day 1 in-season testing at Bahrain
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