With Ferrari widely seen as favourite to win the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday, the big question being asked by Italian fans was which of the two drivers it would be this time.
Ferrari newcomer Kimi Raikkonen covered himself in glory on his debut for the team three weeks ago, winning the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and also notching up pole position and the fastest lap.
Brazilian Felipe Massa, hit by a gear box problem in Australia, had to settle for sixth place and watch the praise rain down on his team-mate.
But in Sepang the Brazilian driver was clearly hoping to show he has the stuff of champions as well as Raikkonen.
"I could have done what Raikkonen did in Melbourne. But the problem with the gears was just one of those things that happens in sport. It won't happen again," he said confidently on Thursday.
"After having battled it out at the back of the field in Australia, I have the feeling that this time I'll be out there in front," he added.
While Massa pronounced himself happy with his car, doubts hung over that of his team-mate Raikkonen, who scored his first Formula 1 win in Sepang four years ago with McLaren.
The Finn's engine began leaking water during the end of the Australian race and so, fearing it would not stand up to the heat of Sepang, the team was considering changing it.
Under Formula 1 rules, this would mean Raikkonen fell back 10 places on the starting grid, seriously compromising his chances of winning.
Characteristically, however, Raikkonen seemed supremely unconcerned by the hitch. "I'm not worried. If we have to change the engine, we'll change it," he said, apparently convinced he could win anyway.
Most Formula 1 observers agree the Ferrari cars look the fastest at the moment and that they are the team setting the pace at the start of the 2007 season.
Even reigning world champ Fernando Alonso, of Renault, made no attempt to hide this, estimating that the red cars were completing laps over half a second faster than anyone else.
"There are no surprises. Ferrari is faster than everyone else at the start of the season. It came to Malaysia as favourite again and it's ready to win again."
"What we have to do is reduce the gap," he added.
