Lewis Hamilton is happier being a chaser rather than a leader and has vowed to hunt down Kimi Raikkonen as they pursue this season’s Formula One world title.

ISTANBUL - Lewis Hamilton is happier being a chaser rather than a leader and has vowed to hunt down Kimi Raikkonen as they pursue this season’s Formula One world title.

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

Although Hamilton won the season-opening race in Australia, Raikkonen and team-mate Felipe Massa have dominated the subsequent three races.

It means Hamilton goes into Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix at the Istanbul Park circuit trailing Raikkonen by nine points.

But the 23-year-old 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 do relish it. Uphill battles are tough, but they’re part of life and I really do enjoy a challenge.

Raikkonen hopeful of finding form

Kimi Raikkonen knows he must crack his qualifying woes if he is to stay in the race for the Formula One world title.

The normally flying Finn has struggled of late in Saturday’s one-lap showdowns, and that has ultimately compromised his grands prix form.

Remarkably, although Raikkonen has been out-qualified by Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa seven to four, and has failed to win any of the last seven races, he remains firmly in the title hunt.

The 28-year-old is three points clear of Massa and only five behind Hamilton going into Sunday`s European Grand Prix at the superbly-constructed new Valencia Street Circuit.

Raikkonen at least gave himself hope of a qualifying tonic with the quickest lap at the end of yesterday’s two 90-minute practice sessions.

Lewis seeks consistency

Lewis Hamilton claims consistency over the closing races will be key to winning this year’s Formula One world title.

Following a three-week summer break, the F1 circus pitches up on virgin territory in Valencia for Sunday’s European Grand Prix.

Circuit organisers have created a new street track which winds its way around the Juan Carlos I marina that was last year home to the 32nd America’s Cup yacht race.

Unlike in Monaco, where it is notoriously slow and almost impossible to pass, the 25-corner, 5.440km circuit in Valencia is fast - with a top speed of 200mph achievable - and features overtaking opportunities.

Rossi ready to take victory chance

Italian rider Valentino Rossi is preparing to take his first ‘match point’ and seal a sixth MotoGP title at Motegi this weekend.

The Fiat Yamaha rider became the most successful racer in premier Grand Prix history a fortnight ago with his 69th win at Indianapolis, and a podium in Japan this weekend will bring the extraordinarily talented 29-year-old his eighth world championship in total.

“I really would like to win in Motegi, especially as it’s such an important race for Yamaha and it would be a great reward for them for all of the work they have done,” he said.

“However, we cannot put too much pressure on ourselves and I will try to treat it like another normal race,” he added.

Should reigning champion Casey Stoner win the race on his Marlboro Ducati then Rossi must finish third or better to seal the crown with three races remaining but if the 22-year-old Australian does not win then a top eight finish will suffice.

Hamilton will have edge - Whitmarsh

Martin Whitmarsh feels a “fearsome” Lewis Hamilton will have the edge in this season’s Formula One world title battle if the rain continues to fall.

The Formula One circus now heads to the Far East for three races, starting with next weekend’s first night grand prix in Singapore, before an enthralling campaign concludes in Brazil.

“Given this year has shown Ferrari and ourselves to be remarkably evenly matched, the car’s performance in unusual weather conditions could prove decisive.” said Whitmarsh. “Looking ahead, while Singapore is something of an unknown quantity, I think we’ve all experienced wet races in Japan, China and Brazil, so we feel well prepared.”

Hamilton will have edge - Whitmarsh

Martin Whitmarsh feels a “fearsome” Lewis Hamilton will have the edge in this season’s Formula One world title battle if the rain continues to fall.

The Formula One circus now heads to the Far East for three races, starting with next weekend’s first night grand prix in Singapore, before an enthralling campaign concludes in Brazil.

“Given this year has shown Ferrari and ourselves to be remarkably evenly matched, the car’s performance in unusual weather conditions could prove decisive.” said Whitmarsh. “Looking ahead, while Singapore is something of an unknown quantity, I think we’ve all experienced wet races in Japan, China and Brazil, so we feel well prepared.”

Rossi claims record-equalling win

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner crashed out of the lead for the second race in succession to gift Valentino Rossi victory in today’s San Marino MotoGP at Misano.

Stoner retired after losing the front end of his Marlboro Ducati to hand his Italian rival the win and increase his commanding lead in the championship race.

The Fiat Yamaha rider’s first MotoGP win at his hometown event moves him onto 262 points, 75 ahead of Stoner with just five races remaining.

Jorge Lorenzo claimed second place to complete a Fiat Yamaha one-two while the in-form Tony Elias bagged a second podium in succession for Alice Ducati.

James Toseland equalled his best MotoGP finish with sixth for Tech 3 Yamaha.

Rossi’s win was his third in a row following victories in the United States and the Czech Republic, and sees him equal Giacomo Agostini’s premier class record of 68 wins.

Heidfeld relaxed about the future

Nick Heidfeld appears likely to be retained by BMW Sauber for next season after finally turning his season on its head.

Heidfeld’s future was the cause of considerable speculation just a few weeks ago following a wretched start to the campaign but in the last four races Heidfeld has picked up more points than any other driver, 21 compared to the 20 collected by Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa.

Although Heidfeld refuses to discuss his contract situation, when asked whether he was relaxed about his future, he replied: “Yes. I am now. I had some problems, but we’ve turned things around and I am quite happy with how it is going so far.”

He added: “I have to say, the backing I’ve had during these weeks and months from the team has been very good.

Webber blasts safety car rules

Mark Webber has branded Formula One’s safety car rules a “joke” and claims they make the sport look “amateurish”.

The Australian’s comments come in the wake of Nelson Piquet’s fortuitous second-placed finish for Renault at Sunday’s German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

“The safety car threw up a bizarre result and I think the rules are a joke,” Webber said in his column on the BBC Sport website. “I was happy for Piquet that he finished second, given the start to the season he has had, but F1 is more professional and better than the rules we have for the safety car at the moment.”

Hamilton races to pole position

In-form Lewis Hamilton grabbed the ninth pole position of his Formula One career ahead of Sunday’s German Grand Prix.

Flying high from his British Grand Prix triumph 13 days ago, the 23-year-old McLaren star snatched top spot on the grid by just under 0.2 seconds from Ferrari’s Felipe Massa at Hockenheim.

Hamilton has so far been outstanding around this circuit, and he is now poised to grab the outright lead in the world championship if he can follow up with victory.

The threat of rain had hung heavy in the air before the start, but despite one sharp shower 15 minutes ahead of the pit lane opening, it failed to arrive and so shake up the grid.