Apr.24 (GMM) Heikki Kovalainen insists beating his highly rated McLaren teammate is not his priority.

"If we are third and fourth and I'm ahead of him, then to be honest I'm thinking about the two guys in front of me," the Finn, referring to 2007 championship runner-up Lewis Hamilton, told the Daily Star, a British tabloid.

Kovalainen, 26, has had a solid start to the beginning of his new McLaren tenure, just as Hamilton comes under fire for some recent lacklustre showings.

"I have confidence in myself. I'm not afraid of anyone," he added.

"In the race it does not enter my head at all to think 'Where is Lewis?'"

Kovalainen does admit, however, that he has been a little surprised by his better than expected start to 2008, his second season on the formula one grid.

In the drivers' championship he lies equal on points with Hamilton, and just five behind the leader, reigning world champion and countryman Kimi Raikkonen.

"I did not expect to be fighting for podiums and pole positions straightaway. That has been a little surprising," he said.