Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo defended the team's decision to extend Kimi Raikkonen's contract and says the reigning world champion will come good again.

The Finn has come under criticism for a string of below par performances this season, and three races without a point mean he is now 21 points adrift of championship leader Lewis Hamilton and will have to play a supporting role to teammate Felipe Massa where possible in the final four races.

But di Montezemolo believes that despite his poor run of form, Raikkonen will come good again.

"I know some disagreed when we lengthened his contract, but we are talking about the world champion, who won the title in his first year at Ferrari," he told Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport.

"Kimi is like those great forwards in football who can't score for a while but, since they're good, sooner or later they find their way to the goal again, which is good for them and their teams."

The marque boss admitted that the team's pace in the wet has become an issue and that they were thankful that one day of last week's test at Mugello was run in the wet.

"The tests were very positive and one day was in the rain," he added. "We needed it a lot because we have a car that in similar circumstances struggles a lot to bring the tyres up to temperature."

Di Montezemolo also said that he doesn't need to give any advice to Massa for the remainder of the championship battle, or to Raikkonen about his role in the remaining races.

"Felipe doesn't need any, he's always done his job," said di Montezemolo. "He's very quick and he works in perfect harmony with the team. I appreciate his ability not to take risks in order to bring the car to the finish.

"Felipe and Kimi know well what they have to do because both of them race for Ferrari. The rules have always been clear, we all work for the team."

The Italian is confident Ferrari can win both championships this year, but is not looking forward to the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix next weekend.

"I have great confidence, obviously," he said. "For the 11th consecutive year, Ferrari are fighting for the title. We've had Williams, McLaren, and Renault coming and going, but we have always been there.

"The drivers are concentrating on what needs to be improved and on the next grand prix in Singapore. But I have the impression that it's another track where you can't overtake, Valencia-style.

"To go on with these circuits spells an ugly future for Formula One."