Raikkonen aims to extend lead in Spain

World champion Kimi Raikkonen is adamant his Ferrari team will be very competitive at this weekend`s Spanish Grand Prix.

The Italian squad have won the last two races and look like favourites to win in Barcelona following last week`s test at the Spanish track.

Raikkonen arrives in Spain in the championship lead, and the Finn is hopeful he will manage to increase the gap with victory this weekend.

The Ferrari driver, however, says it`s still too early to start thinking about the title.

“The situation can change very quickly in Formula One. That`s why it`s very important to collect as many points as possible in every single race: There`s still a long way to go until the title,” Raikkonen said in a team preview.

“The team is in good shape. My participation in last week`s tests has been quite limited, due to the rain. But that`s not a problem. I think we`ll have a good performance and we can be really competitive; at least the components are all there.

“It`s going to be very close: all the teams have introduced updates ahead of the first European race, which makes it even more interesting.We have won the last two races and that might make our competitors even hungrier to win.”

He added: “I`m glad we`re back to race in Europe. We don`t have to travel so much and we can put all our energy into the race weekend.

“It`s a bit of a tradition: it`s almost as if the season starts now. For me personally it`s a bit special, because it`s the first time that I start the European season as the leader in the championship.

“I`ve won once at Barcelona, in 2005. Obviously that`s my best memory of this Grand Prix. Actually that was the only time I managed to get on the podium here: I can`t wait to do it again.”

23.4.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ Raikkonen    ▪ www.autosport.com