World Champion Kimi Raikkonen does not believe that Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen's respective inexperience has cost McLaren too much this season.

The ex-McLaren racer was speaking at Silverstone where he was testing for Ferrari and insists that there is enough expertise within the Woking squad to combat any potential issues.

When ask if the pair's lack of track time in Formula 1 was affecting his former team, the Finn replied: "I don’t think so because there are a lot of people [at the team] who know what they are doing.

"Sometimes you have a difficult car, sometimes a better one. That’s normal."

And, having watched Hamilton in action on Thursday, Raikkonen predicted a tough battle between the sport's top two teams at the next race.

"McLaren are always strong here, and I’m expecting that next weekend.

"[But] we were strong here last year, so I expect us to be in with a good chance of being able to win the race again.

"I think it’s going to be quite close between us and them. I don’t see the other teams being close enough for the win.”

[via Setanta]