Renault's Fernando Alonso expects Kimi Raikkonen to keep the Formula One title battle alive for at least one more race.

Spaniard Alonso, 24, can become the sport's youngest champion in Belgium on Sunday providing he scores four points more than his McLaren rival.

He does not see that happening, however. "I know it's very difficult to win the championship here because I need Kimi to retire, basically, if I want to be champion and I don't think that is going to happen," he told a news conference yesterday.

Alonso, winner of six races this season, has a 27 point advantage in the standings with four rounds remaining.

McLaren have won the last three grands prix, with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya triumphant in Italy last weekend, and Raikkonen took their sole victory of 2004 at Spa-Francorchamps.

However, if the Finn, who has had several engine and mechanical failures this year, were to retire then Alonso would need only to finish fifth to become Spain's first world champion.

"The car's going well and this circuit suits our car better than many others, it should be okay," said Raikkonen.

Alonso retired with an engine problem in Belgium last year while leading but his car has been far more reliable than the McLaren this season.

"The podium is our target for the weekend and I'm quite confident for the race," he said.