FORMULA ONE:With four races remaining and after five races without a point, reigning champion Kimi Raikkonen has all but conceded defeat in the Formula One world title race.
Raikkonen currently trails McLaren's Lewis Hamilton by 21 points and Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa by 20.
The gap to Hamilton could stretch to 27 points next week if McLaren win their appeal against the penalty imposed at the Belgian Grand Prix that saw the 23-year-old demoted from first to third.
The Finn is certainly enduring a lean time as he has failed to win any of the last 10 races, and for the first time in four years has not scored a point in the last three.
By his own admission, Raikkonen knows he needs a miracle, but will continue to fight to the bitter end even if it appears to be a lost cause at this stage
"This sport can be really hard to digest," said Raikkonen, who came home ninth in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix. "You push and you give it your all, but nothing seems to go your way.
"It's been a long time without a win for me, and the list of races without points is growing.
"Five races without scoring a point this season is a lot, and you don't have to be an Einstein to understand that is not the right way to fight for a title.
"It's not over yet, but now it will take a miracle, like the one that makes lightning strike twice."
The wet conditions at Monza did not suit the Ferrari, as at Monaco, Silverstone and at the end of the race in Spa when Hamilton reeled in Raikkonen.
As there is a strong likelihood of rain at any of the last four races in Singapore, Japan, China and Brazil, which only adds to Raikkonen's growing frustration.
"At the Italian GP we had the same problem as before at a couple of other races," added Raikkonen. "Under certain circumstances, especially with low temperatures and rain, we've hardly any grip.
"Now it seems it's going to rain at every outstanding race - we had enough in Monza.
"It's not that I've lost my ability to drive in the wet, but when you've no grip, what can you do.
"Things are definitely not going my way. Sometimes it happens but that won't lower my spirits or my determination.
"Nevertheless, I want to win again this season and I will give my best, as usual."