4 Sep 2008

Raikkonen braced to reignite title challenge

3:32 pm on 4 September 2008

The defending Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen insists he can retain his crown this year despite a string of unimpressive results.

The Ferarri driver has started preparations for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix by repeating that he's not out of contention and can overcome both his team-mate Felipe Massa and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton to take the title.

Raikkonen is 13 points behind leader Hamilton with Ferrari team-mate Brazilian Massa second behind him and hasn't won since April.

But he says he should be treated as the favourite having won the last three races on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.