Raikkonen not ready to give up

The Ferrari driver started from pole at the Nurburgring and was fighting for victory when he was forced to retire with a mechanical problem.

His retirement, the second of the season, means the Finn is still 18 points behind McLaren's championship leader Lewis Hamilton, who also failed to score, but with just seven races to go.

He also lost third place in the standings to teammate Felipe Massa.

Raikkonen admits it will not be easy for him to take this year's title, but the Ferrari driver has vowed to battle on until the end.

"From time to time it's really difficult to understand how hard motor sports can be," said Raikkonen. "We had everything on our side for a perfect weekend, but we were unable to bring it to a conclusion. It was a real pity that I had to retire for the second time this year.

"We are not on the floor, but this does not make it any easier. I don't know why, but it seems that the two German race tracks don't like me: although I must say that I really like to drive there, at the Nurburgring and also at Hockenheim.

"After the pole on Saturday I was in the position to reverse this negative tradition, but in the end it just didn't happen. You can't do anything to change things: let's see if we can make it next year.

"I'm really sorry about how the race ended, but that's how it is. What's certain is that we will not give up: the gap from the top in the drivers' championship remains unaltered, although there is one race less. But we have a real competitive car."