ROME, Jan 7, 2008 (AFP) - World champion Kimi Raikkonen said he was happy with the new F2008 Ferrari after testing it for the first time Monday at the Fiorano circuit near the team's Maranello base.

Ferrari unveiled their new car on Sunday, before any of their rivals, and it was given its first outing a day later.

"My initial feelings are very positive," said the Finn. "It's good to not have any problems on the first day of testing."

Raikkonen rounded the circuit in a modest 1min 00.897sec, almost 5sec off the pace set by seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher in the 2004 Ferrari, although that was before various regulations were implemented to reduce the speed of Formula One cars.

But it was also a second and a half off the time set by Raikkonen's Brazilian team-mate Felipe Massa in last year's car, although that vehicle was lighter than this year's version.

Raikkonen and Massa will now head to Jerez in Spain to continue testing from January 14-16.