Kimi Raikkonen is ready to defend his crown and fight for the 2008 F1 championship. He is expecting Felipe Massa to join the battle with him. Last season Massa had finished fourth and had been left out of the title claim early. This year the Finn expects Felipe to be closer with him and fight till the end.

Of course Kimi told that he still considers McLaren to be a significant threat. Also Alonso may be able to join the fight as he has just made his comeback with Renault and is ready to lead his team to victory.

“I hope the title fight will remain between me and Felipe”, he claimed. What Alonso will be doing with Renault is unknown and there is no way anyone can guess it, he also added.

McLaren presented its new racing car on Lewis Hamilton’s birthday. It was the best birthday present according to the Britton. During the presentation, McLaren boss, Ron Dennis said that the new car will be challenging the 2008 titles.

Kimi Raikkonen has driven Ferrari’s new racing car in Fiorano, just one day after the official launch. F2008 is the car that the world champion will be using to defend his crown.

The official 2008 entry list has been published by FIA. Ferrari will have numbers 1 and two on its cars while the two McLarens will be numbered 22 and 23 as the team has been excluded from last season’s constructor’s championship.

Force India is the only team left to confirm its lineup, as there is a spare seat next to Adrian Sutil, yet to be confirmed.

The full entry list is as follows:

Heikki Kovalainen will make his debut with McLaren testing it in Jerez on Tuesday. He will be testing the brand new MP4-23, as it is unveiled on Monday, just one day before Heikki’s test.

Four drivers out of seven are now left to fight for the Force India seat alongside Adrian Sutil, after Ralf Schumacher, Giedo van der Garde and Franck Montagny decided they don’t want to race for the team next season.

Michael Schumacher turned down the offer of taking Jean Todt ’s place in Ferrari Formula One team, after his retirement at the end of 2006 season.