Kimi Raikkonen has warned Michael Schumacher he will have to see off an even better racing driver than the man he just pipped last year if he wants to retain his drivers' crown.
The Finn is confident his experiences last season, when he only missed out on the championship by two points, have put him in good stead to mount a successful assault on the title in 2004.
"I am learning in every test and every race," said the McLaren-Mercedes driver who took Schumacher to the wire. "The more I gain miles, the better I am as a racing driver.
"Last season's experience has brought more speed, more self-confidence and a more mature attitude. That is for sure and I think it will be easier for me to start to fight for the championship.
Raikkonen believes his challenge last year was blunted because McLaren could not introduce their new car due to reliability problems.
The 24-year-old had to use a heavily-modified version of the 2002 model which ensured he consistently finished on the podium but only mounted the top step once when he scored his maiden victory in the second race of the campaign in Malaysia.
Raikkonen is confident his 2004 car, which he tested in Jerez earlier this month after returning to the cockpit for the first time since the decider in Japan last October, will have the speed to challenge Schumacher's Ferrari.
"The MP4-19 is a very good car," added Raikkonen, who launches his campaign in Melbourne on March 7th.
"When we really went for it to get a quick lap time, it was there. The car is very stable and there is not any kind of a problem to really push for it.
"Right now I do not want to speculate how good a chance we have to win enough races and clinch the title. So much depends on this new car. How good it is, we do not know before Melbourne.
"But one thing is for sure - I am not going to be any slower as a racing driver. The more experience I gain, the quicker I will be.