Ferrari's top brass is putting 2018 contract talks with Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen on the back burner for now, as the team focuses on its season.

Neither Scuderia driver has a deal in place for next season, and while it is expected that Vettel will renew his allegiance to the Italian outfit, pundits are guessing that Raikkonen will call it a day on his F1 career at the end of the season.

"We are not thinking about contracts now, we are thinking about the championship," said team boss Maurizio Arrivabene.

"As I have said many times, we are all working together, including the drivers, we are very focused on our job and I have to say the contract is not an issue."

Arrivabene reiterated the team's stance on team orders, insisting there is no hierarchy among the drivers, contrary to popular belief.

"As Ferrari we are looking to the constructors' championship," he said.

"The drivers' championship is their job. They are free to do it until the numbers are going clearly in one direction or the other.

"In that case, we apply our rules of engagement. But not now, and not in Monaco," Arrivabene added.

 

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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