Formula-1

Raikkonen targeting second title

Raikkonen is determined to start this season better than last World champion Kimi Raikkonen says he is as hungry as ever as he prepares to launch the defence of his world title.

A number of his fellow drivers have said they do not expect the Finn to stay much longer in Formula One. But the Ferrari star, who mounted a stunning late comeback to win the crown last year, said: "Anyone who thinks I'm now happy and satisfied is mistaken. It has never been fun for me to drive for a fifth or sixth-place finish. I'm here to win."

Raikkonen made up 18 points in the last two races on McLaren's Lewis Hamilton to win his maiden title in 2007.

The new season starts in Australia on Sunday, and the 28-year-old starts as hot favourite to win a second consecutive title in the wake of the impressive pace shown by his car in pre-season testing.

But Raikkonen is simply focusing on the start of the season, and aiming to have a better first few races than last year - although he was first and second in the first two races of 2007, his and Ferrari's form fell away, leaving him with a huge margin to make up.

"Coming into this new season, I just hope we have a slightly stronger start to the year and then we will go from there," Raikkonen said.

"We want to improve everywhere. We know where we have a difficult time in certain areas in races and on certain circuits. But I improve my driving every time I go in the car, so as a team we are pushing forward and hopefully we can improve in those areas where we want."

Raikkonen's main rival is expected to be Hamilton, who said he was determined to make amends for letting the title slip from his grasp last year. "My motivation is even higher than last year, but in a slightly different way," Hamilton said.

"I would say last year was an uncontrollable determination and excitement, just not really knowing what was coming up, just going into the deep blue.

"Now I know what to expect, I know about my preparations so I am storing energy."