ROME - FERRARI president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo is feeling confident ahead of the new Formula One season, which begins in Melbourne on Sunday.

Ferrari are the reigning constructors champions while Felipe Massa came within one corner of taking the drivers' title as well last season before losing out by just a point to Lewis Hamilton.

With Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 drivers' champion, also on the team's books, it has left Mr Montezemolo feeling bouyant.

'We have the best pair of drivers in F1. In 2007 we won with Raikkonen, in 2008 Massa brushed the title,' Mr Montezemolo told La Reppublica.

'I have a lot of faith in this young Ferrari, it's being developed at home, I like it a lot.'

Mr Montezemolo admitted to breaking a television last season during the finale when Massa crossed the line first at the last race of the season in Brazil, only for Hamilton to overtake Timo Glock on the last corner to take fifth place and the title.

'I hope that doesn't happen again. Also because this season Ferrari is ready. I don't know if we will win but we are as competitive as we have been in the last few years,' he said.

'But I can't rule out an angry gesture at the end. Although it has to be said there's never before been a finale to an F1 season like that in 2008.' -- AFP