"Kimi will start at the level he finished last year. I don't see him as a threat - that's not how I look at drivers. He is the target this year because he is world champion."
The 23-year old admits that missing out on the 2007 title by a single point, having led the standings for half the season, has only increased his desire to set the record straight this year.
"My appetite for the title is even greater because I've tasted it," he confirmed to Britain's
News of the World, "I have won championships before, but the
F1 world championship is obviously something completely different. Having almost held it for the most part of last season, and just knowing what that feels like, means I am even more hungry for it this year.
"Some people say the second year is always the hardest, but I have always found that, in every other category, I have been twice as strong in the second year. I think I surprised people a lot last year, but drivers will see me in the mirrors now and will know from last year that I will be going up the inside of them. They know who I am now and it is not a case of ‘who is this guy, he should be easy'.
"I would say it is going to be harder for them because there will be more pressure on them and that's when people make mistakes. It is going to be quite interesting to see that."
