Alonso not ruling Raikkonen out despite qualifying penalty

FERNANDO ALONSO insists world championship rival Kimi Raikkonen cannot be ruled out of winning this weekend’s French Grand Prix despite his qualifying penalty.

McLaren's Raikkonen has been docked 10 places on the starting grid at Magny-Cours after his Mercedes engine was replaced following a blow-up early in yesterday's second practice.

That hands the advantage to championship leader Alonso, who has been fighting a rearguard action recently to hold off an attack from Raikkonen and the McLaren team.