Hamburg - Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen appears to be standing before a make-or-break season at Ferrari.

"As a driver and a Ferrari man, he is well aware that it's an important season. He's intelligent enough to understand that," Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali told Monday's Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.

The 2009 season getting underway this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, and Domenicali said Raikkonen's performances this year were certainly important as to whether he has a long-term future with the Italian marque.

The Finn secured the 2007 drivers' title in his first season as replacement for the legendary Michael Schumacher but was outshone last season by team-mate Felipe Massa, who was just pipped to the drivers' crown by Lewis Hamilton of McLaren-Mercedes.

"I see him as motivated and slimmer," said Domenicali, who is also expecting great things from Brazil's Massa this season.

"I see Massa as being very strong," he said. "A year ago, he started with doubts but now he is going into the world championship looking to win it. And he can achieve that." (dpa)