Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen said on Wednesday he needed a miracle to retain his title following a disappointing Italian Grand Prix.

With four races left, the Ferrari driver is fourth and 21 points behind McLaren's championship leader Lewis Hamilton after trailing in ninth at a rainswept Monza on Sunday.

The Finn, who won the title last year after making up a 17 point deficit in the final two races, still refused to give up his championship hopes despite three grands prix in a row without a point.

"You don't have to be Einstein to understand that this is not the right way to fight for the title," he 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."

Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa, who finished sixth at Monza and a place ahead of McLaren's Hamilton, is now just a point behind the Briton overall.

Raikkonen, who signed a new deal with Ferrari until 2010 last week, was still reluctant to commit to helping his teammate.

"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 the Finn. "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 Sept 28, Formula One's first night race, will suit him better after blaming the lack of grip from his tyres in the wet for his problems in Italy.

"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.

(Agencies via China Daily September 19, 2008)