Kimi - I need a miracle

Raikkonen: Miracle needed

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Kimi Raikkonen says he stands as much chance of being struck by lightning twice as he does of successfully defending the World Championship.

The Ferrari driver was speaking three days after finishing ninth in the Italian Grand Prix, a result that left him without a Championship point in the last three races.

He suffered an engine failure in the European Grand Prix at Valencia last month before crashing out of the Belgian Grand Prix whilst disputing the lead with McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.

With four races left, Raikkonen lies fourth in the standings, 21 points behind Championship leader Hamilton, who, in turn, currently holds a one-point advantage over the Finn's team-mate, Felipe Massa.

"You don't have to be Einstein to understand that this is not the right way to fight for the title," Raikkonen told Ferrari's website (www.ferrariworld.com).

"It's not over yet, but now it will take a miracle, like one that makes lightning strike twice."

Reluctant

Nevertheless, Raikkonen, who signed a new deal with Ferrari until 2010 last week, was still reluctant to commit to helping his team-mate's own title ambitions.

"Things are definitely not going my way," he said. "Sometimes it happens, but that won't lower my spirit or my determination.

"I want to try and win again this season.

"You never know what will happen in a race and you can't make any programs," added Raikkonen, who overcame a 17-point deficit to Hamilton in the final two races of last season to become World Champion.

"Obviously the team has two goals to reach (Constructors' and Drivers' Championships) and they will give their best to reach them.

"I will give my best...as usual."

Raikkonen hopes the Singapore Grand Prix on September 28 - Formula One's first night race - will suit him better, with Ferrari's F2008 apparently better able to maintain tyre temperatures, and therefore grip, in warmer conditions.

"It seems as if it is going to rain at every remaining race. We had enough water at Monza already...the atmosphere (at Singapore) will be very exciting and the hot and humid weather might work to our advantage," he added.