Lewis Hamilton admits he has amazed even himself with his stunning start to his Formula One career.

For the third successive race, Hamilton was forced to settle for the runner-up spot as Felipe Massa took the chequered flag at the Spanish Grand Prix.

It was Massa's second straight win, and fourth of his career, and he now stands third in the drivers' standings.

But it is the remarkable Hamilton who leads the way by two points from McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso, and three from Massa.

In doing so, he has again etched his name into the history of the sport, becoming the youngest driver since Bruce McLaren - founder of the team he drives for - in 1960 to stand on top.

''I keep saying I'm living my dream, and it's really true,'' said the 22-year-old after his fourth successive podium finish.

''I've been working so hard for this - me and my family - for so many years.

''To come out of only my fourth grand prix leading the World Championship when I'm racing against the top drivers in the world, is just incredible.

''I couldn't be happier.

"It's an amazing feeling. To be in this position is a dream.

"It's just getting bigger.

''I'm enjoying it, and I need to keep on enjoying it, and to keep on building up the points I have.

''When I came into the sport I did so with an open mind, to do the best job I could, and that is what I'm doing.

''I've good points, but I definitely didn't expect to be doing as well as I am.''

Becoming world champion is also becoming more realistic as each race passes, with 13 now remaining on the calendar.

Cautiously, Hamilton tip-toed round the question, adding: ''It's positive.

''After the last race we knew there was a possibility of winning the championship.

''But we have to be realistic.

"It's only my first season and there are going to be ups and downs.

''Up until now the team have done a fantastic job.

"And as long as we maintain reliability and I don't make any mistakes then I'm sure we can continue with the performance we have.

''If we can keep on scoring points, keep gaining podiums, then the results will be good.''

The result of this particular race was effectively decided at the first corner of Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.

When the field pulled away at the second time of asking - as Jarno Trulli's Toyota suffered a fuel pressure problem that resulted in an additional formation lap - Hamilton passed the second Ferrari of Raikkonen down the long straight to claim third.

Massa's team-mate Raikkonen was one of eight retirements due to an electrical fault and trails Hamilton by eight points.

BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica claimed fourth, with Red Bull Racing's David Coulthard a superb fifth for his best finish since last August's Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Williams of Nico Rosberg and Renault's Heikki Kovalainen came in sixth and seventh, while Takuma Sato was eighth to give Super Aguri their first point since entering Formula One at the start of last year.