Defending world champion Kimi Raikkonen refused to surrender his title on Sunday, despite crashing out of the Belgian Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old Ferrari driver dominated most of the race — but was passed and beaten in the rain-hit closing laps by Briton Lewis Hamilton in his McLaren Mercedes.

The defeat has left the Finn trailing by 23 points in the championship while his teammate Felipe Massa is second in the championship.

But he said: "I am only interested in winning the rest of the races and then we can see. It is not up to me to help others, including Felipe. It is not for me to say if he wins or not.

"I will do the best I can do and we see what the situation is. I try to win races and we will see what happens."

Raikkonen said he was fighting to claim a victory in a win-or-bust scrap with Hamilton when he crashed on the penultimate lap.

The Ferrari driver had led the majority of the race, but Hamilton benefited from the rain during the final laps to close the gap and pass the Finn.

Raikkonen regained his position when they tangled as they moved to avoid German Nico Rosberg's Williams following a spin. But he then lost his lead and the race when he crashed out.

He said: "I was prepared to win or lose, but unfortunately I went off. I only wanted to win. I slid wide on the fast left-hander, and tried to come back on the circuit but I spun.

"I needed to get points so I wanted to win it or lose it, but unfortunately went off."

Raikkonen made contact with Hamilton a few times while battling for position.

Their battle was declared afterwards as being under investigation by the race stewards.

Hamilton jumped the final chicane when the pair made contact, and although he let Raikkonen past, the Briton kept his momentum and overtook him on the following corner.

Raikkonen did not want to comment on the incident.

"There are rules about cutting chicanes and gaining an advantage and they are looking it. So I don't have anything to say."

His Ferrari team-mate Massa said: "I was slower than I was supposed to be because I saw many people going off, especially Kimi and Lewis who were a bit in front.

"I didn't want to risk. Eight points is eight points. I was going very slowly through corners, it was very, very damp. Sometimes you think something and you go off.

"I made a mistake at the start because I thought the track was more wet than it was, I slowed down too much and Kimi passed me. It was a mistake but then I was just comfortable in third place the whole race. It was difficult to catch them.

"Then suddenly second place came to me, so I am pleased. We know the championship is still open. We are going to fight race by race to close the gap and to maybe pass those guys."