Spa can revive Raikkonen's title challenge

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - Kimi Raikkonen can revive his flagging Formula One title hopes this weekend with a flat-out 'pedal to the metal' performance at his favourite Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

The fast and flowing Belgian Grand Prix circuit has favoured the Finn more than any driver in recent years and Ferrari's world champion desperately needs to conjure up some of his old magic on Sunday.

Raikkonen has won the last three grands prix at the 7km Ardennes track, a run dating back to 2004 with McLaren, and another victory would show he is still very much a contender.

"This is the one that I've been waiting for," Raikkonen said on his website (www.kimiraikkonen.com).

"The weekend of Spa is always a certain highlight of the season for me.

"You cannot get the same kind of 'pedal to the metal' feeling anywhere else."

Without a win since the end of April, and with team mate Felipe Massa seven points clear of him with six races remaining, Raikkonen knows that it is otherwise a matter of time before Ferrari declare his title defence over and order him to help the Brazilian.

Raikkonen scored 29 points from his first four races of the season but has taken just 28 from his last eight starts amid increasing speculation about his motivation.