Last week, the newly-acquainted pair spent time at Jerez, where their new Lotus car was the surprise standout performer of the first pre-season test.

Another “really pleasant surprise”, according to GP2 champion Grosjean, was “Kimi”.

“It took a little time and I did wonder what kind of relationship we would develop, but I think he is a really nice guy. Whatever I have asked, he has answered.”

Arguably more important, of course, is their black and gold car, and it set tongues wagging by proving the standout performer at Jerez.

“It is definitely better than our one of last year,” Frenchman Grosjean is quoted by Finnish broadcaster MTV3.

And he said both he and Raikkonen are likely to develop it in harmony.

“I did not see anything strange,” said Grosjean when asked how his and Raikkonen’s driving styles compare, “the telemetry was nearly identical.”

Also more than pleased is Lotus’ technical director, James Allison.

“The best thing about the week was the drivers’ feedback,” he said. “We had not heard anything as positive in the last couple of seasons.”

F1-Zone.net