Ferrari confident Raikkonen will deliver the goods

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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.

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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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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.