ROME (AFP) - Defending world champion Kimi Raikkonen admitted Wednesday he has more chance of being hit by lightning twice than he has of retaining the Formula One crown.

The Ferrari driver sits fourth in the standings after failing to get a podium place in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix at Monza, and now sits 21 points behind leader Lewis Hamilton.

"It's been a long time without a win for me and the list of races without points is growing," he said on www.ferrariworld.com on Wednesday.

"I crossed the line at Monza without gaining any points. Five times and no points in the standings are really a lot: you don't have to be an Einstein to understand that this 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."

Raikkonen was overshadowed in Sunday's rain-battered Italian Grand Prix, as German boy wonder Sebastian Vettel made F1 history by becoming the the youngest driver to win a race.

Team-mate Felipe Massa finished in sixth to keep within touching distance of leader Hamilton, while fellow countryman Heikki Kovalainen, of McLaren, came second and Poland's Robert Kubica third in a BMW Sauber.

Raikkonen has not won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix in April and the last time he scored any championship points was at Germany in July, when he finished sixth.

But the Finn said he was happy after signing a new contract with Ferrari, and insisted he will not give up the title easily.

"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," he said.

"I will give my best, as usual. I was very happy that I could renew my contract with Ferrari: it's the best team in Formula One.

"I will never forget what happened last year and I want to repeat it again."

There are four races remaining in the Formula One season, which resumes next week with an inaugural nocturnal event at Singapore.