Felipe Massa, winner of last Sunday's Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix, has warned Kimi Raikkonen to expect a battle for the number one driver's spot at Ferrari next season.

Finn Raikkonen will replace seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher, who retired at the weekend after finishing second to Renault's Fernando Alonso in the drivers' championship.

"Up until now I have helped my team by filling the holes, but things have changed," the 25-year-old Massa told the Gazzetta dello Sport's website on Tuesday. "Next year I don't think I will be obliged to let Kimi pass in front of me. He is a great driver, but he is joining a new team and it will be up to him to win them over. It will be a great battle, but a fair one."

Massa's victory on Sunday in his home city of Sao Paolo - the first by a Brazilian in their own Grand Prix since the late Ayrton Senna in 1993 - was his second career triumph after winning the Turkey Grand Prix earlier this season.

Raikkonen was runner-up in the drivers' championship in 2003 and 2005, but the 2006 season was a disappointing one for him and his McLaren Mercedes-Benz team. He finished fifth in the drivers' championship while McLaren were third in the constructors' championship.

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Massa isn't as good as Kimi, nor as experienced.

true, but he should fight for his possition at ferrari.

Sure, until Kimi has proven that he is better than his teammate, Massa will be the No 1 driver. Not for long though.

I think Massa overestimates himself a little bit.

LOL... that one good win in his hometown has rotted Massa brain!

His car was miles faster than anyone not named Michael Schumacher. Massa doesn't have the consistency and mental game for an entire gruelling season.

Witch is why I doubt he'll ever become WC.

Agreed...

Massa + WC = another joke if you ask me.