Hamilton has Raikkonen in sights

Updated 10.20 Fri May 09 2008

Keywords: kimi raikkonen, formula one, lewis hamilton

British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton has vowed to hunt down Kimi Raikkonen ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix on Sunday.

Unlike last year, McLaren star Hamilton has become the hunter not the hunted as Ferrari and Raikkonen have set the pace.

Unlike last year, McLaren star Hamilton has become the hunter not the hunted as Ferrari and Raikkonen have set the pace

The 23-year-old goes into the race at the Istanbul Park circuit trailing Raikkonen by nine points.

Hamilton said: "It's better to be chasing. It's more fun. It's hard, a bit harder than leading, which just involves keeping your momentum, but chasing means you are constantly trying to go one better. It's more of a challenge.

"I stand up to all challenges I get. I'm always looking to do my best, and to do it to perfection, not merely a good job."

Ice-cool Finn Raikkonen is the man now under pressure as his pursuers breathe down his neck.

Hamilton concedes Raikkonen's lead is a healthy one at this stage of the season, but with 14 races remaining he is all too aware of how quickly a tide can turn.

He said: "It's a good gap but so early on in the championship it's not as crucial as it would be later. We want to close it as quickly as we can and then keep it close as we seek to reverse it."