12/05/2008 14:47

Cape Town - Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen remains the favourite to defend his drivers' title despite having his lead slashed after the Turkish GP.

Raikkonen was forced to settle for third spot in Istanbul behind teammate Felipe Massa and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.

Raikkonen's lead atop the drivers' standings has been cut to seven points, with Hamilton and Massa in joint second position.

However, according to leading bookmakers Ladbrokes, the ice cool Finn remains the 4/9 favourite heading into the next race in Monaco. Hamilton is the second favourite at 7/2 while Massa is on offer at 4/1.

BMW-Sauber duo Robert Kubica (25/1) and Hick Heidfeld (80/1) are the "best of the rest" while Heikki Kovalainen and Renault's Fernando Alonso are on offer at 100/1 and 200/1 respectively.

Ferrari are overwhelming favourites to win the constructors' championship and currently enjoy a healthy 19 point lead over BMW with McLaren a further two points adrift.

Ferrari are on offer at 1/8 with McLaren at 5/1 and BMW at 16/1.