BARCELONA, Spain, April 24, 2008 (AFP) - Defending drivers world champion and current leader Kimi Raikkonen of Finland said he will be taking nothing for granted when he leads Ferrari´s assault on this weekend´s Spanish Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old Finn told a news conference here Thursday that he was more aware than most people of how fickle Formula One can be and how quickly a driver can have his fortunes changed.

He said: "It is nice, to be leading, but the season is only a few races old. It doesn´t mean too much. There is a long way to go, it doesn´t matter if you are leading now if you cannot keep it up. So far it has been okay.

"For sure the start of the season could have been better but we are leading the points so we have to be happy.

"Last year we didn´t finish, and only did nine laps in the race. I cannot remember all the things that happened here, not usually good results. It can turn around, but this year we could be strong and lead the race."

Raikkonen has 19 points after winning and finishing second in the last two races and is conscious that he is in a good position. But he conceded that anything can happen now as all of the leading teams bring improved cars to the Circuit de Catalunya for Sunday´s contest.

Raikkonen´s Ferrari partner Brazilian Felipe Massa expressed himself happy with the latest developments to the F2008 during testing at Barcelona last week.

These include a radical air vent on the car´s nose, which is set to receive its race debut in Spain.