Raikkonen needs a 'miracle'

Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen has acknowledged "it will take a miracle" for him to defend the Formula One World Championship.

The Finn is fourth in the standings - 21 points behind Championship leader Lewis Hamilton - after he finished ninth in the Italian GP and, with just four races left on the calendar, accepts time is running out.

He suffered an engine failure in Valencia last month before crashing out in Belgium whilst disputing the lead with McLaren driver Hamilton, but is refusing to throw the towel in just yet.

"You don't have to be Einstein to understand that this is not the right way to fight for the title," Raikkonen, speaking ahead of the Singapore GP on September 28 - F1's first night race - told Ferrari's website.

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