Kimi Raikkonen believes his Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa shouldn't be written off following his errors in the opening two rounds.


Rumours about Massa's future at Ferrari have intensified after he spun at the start in Melbourne, then threw away second place in Malaysia.


But Raikkonen thinks the criticism is unfair as the season has barely got underway.


"Felipe has not had the easiest start to the season, but it is still early days and many things can happen to either of us," said the world champion.

"Let's wait and see how this first part of the season goes as I am sure the situation can change."


Both Massa and Raikkonen were quick when they tested in Bahrain earlier this year, and with only Ferrari and Toyota having attended those sessions, the champions could have an advantage over the pack at Sakhir.


But Raikkonen is not sure how much of an advantage the test will give Ferrari, considering the time that has elapsed since then.


"We tested here early in the winter and I had a good feeling about the car back then, but Formula 1 moves so quickly that a couple of months later, everything could be completely different," he said.


"The car is not the same today, it has evolved and the weather is different as it is warmer now.


"So we must wait and see what happens in the first practice on Friday.


"Testing here before is definitely not a disadvantage and yes, it will help a bit.


"But by the end of tomorrow, when everyone has done some running, any advantage will disappear."