Raikkonen a firm believer in his title chances despite Vettel's edge

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Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen says he has a "100 percent" opportunity to fight for the title this season despite the perceived favoritism by Ferrari for team mate Sebastian Vettel.

The Scuderia's parity between its drivers was once again called into question in China, where the Italian outfit kept Raikkonen out longer than Vettel before his first pitstop, in a bid perhaps to slow down other cars.

The Finn dismissed any claims of favoritism however, insisting his chances of fighting for the title are on a par with those of his team mate.

"It’s one of those things - it’s always easy after the race to say what we should have done [on strategy]," Raikkonen said.

"Once you know the final result it’s easy to say this and that, but no one knows it during the races.

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"You try to do the best you can, sometimes it’s ok, sometimes it’s not, but that’s a normal case in any racing conditions.

"As far as know I have 100 percent the same chances as everybody else, we try to make the best out of it.

"I’m here to do my best and I want to fight as hard as I can. I wouldn’t be here if I wouldn’t feel that’s possible."

Raikkonen's speed this season - likely his last in F1 - has actually been impressive, the Finn clearly feeling more comfortable behind the wheel of the Scdueria's SF71-H than he was with last year's car.

"I think speed-wise we’ve been pretty ok, so we need to make sure we take the maximum points we can and have no issues," added the 38-year-old.

"I think we improved the car since the first tests, but I don’t think that it has massively changed and suddenly there is more of this or that. I think [Vettel and I are] both pretty happy with things.

"For sure there are always things we can improve, but that’s the never-ending story in Formula 1.

"It’s not too bad, we’ve been pretty fast and for sure we try to improve here and there. The set-up then is to make it better for each driver, but they are small things that can make a difference."

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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.