Raikkonen doubts F1 rift between Vettel and Ferrari

Kimi Raikkonen doubts that former Formula 1 teammate Sebastian Vettel’s relationship with Ferrari is “as bad as people are making out”.

Four-time world champion Vettel is leaving Ferrari at the end of the current season when his contract expires and will be replaced by McLaren’s Carlos Sainz for 2021.

At the 2020 F1 season-opener in Austria last weekend, Vettel revealed that he was “surprised” to have not been offered a new deal, contradicting what Ferrari had initially said when explaining its reasoning behind the German’s departure.

There have been suggestions that Vettel’s relationship has significantly deteriorated, and that he could leave the team before the end of the season.

But Raikkonen, who drove alongside Vettel at Ferrari between 2015 and leaving for Alfa Romeo at the end of 2018, doubts there has been a rift between the two parties.

"Honestly, I spoke to him last weekend, quickly when we saw each other, I think it was before the start, and that's all that I know," Raikkonen said ahead of this weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix.

“I don't know what is going on there, it's none of my business. I think it's unfair to comment if someone is treated badly or not, because I don't know what is going on.

"I doubt that they have as bad relationship as people are making out.

"Obviously sometimes it goes this way, that you leave the team, or choose to leave, whichever way it is. We'll see what happens in his future. You need to ask from him.

"I wouldn't put too much saying how difficult it is right now after one race. It wasn't the most easy for [Alfa Romeo] either. I'm sure they can be much stronger than they were last weekend.”

Asked whether he was treated any differently after his Ferrari exit had been confirmed, Raikkonen replied: "No, absolutely not.

"I'm certain that they get exactly the same treatment, both of them.

"It's in their benefit to try to get the best result on both cars, so I don't see why they would do anything else."