Marchionne confirms probable 2018 Ferrari driver lineup

Ferrari has yet to announce its driver line-up for 2018, but  Sergio Marchionne's comments in Hungary point once again to Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen remaining at Maranello.

Reports out of Italy suggested that a condition for Vettel staying with the Scuderia next season s the resigning of his Finnish team mate.

This has apparently been accepted by the Italian squad and a formal announcement is expected at the team's home race at Monza in September.

"It is more than 50 per cent probable," said Marchionne who was present yesterday in Hungary.

"They are great together so it would be a risk to change the game now. Let's see if we can keep them for 2018. I think they want to stay," he added.

"We should be able to announce our drivers at Monza. Nothing is signed yet but we are talking to the drivers and the agreement may be close."

• Vettel 'had his hands full' in Hungary with steering issue

Both Marchionne and team boss Maurizio Arrivabene praised Raikkonen for team role in yesterday's race as the Finn acted as a buffer between Vettel and the pursuing Mercedes duo behind.

"He was great. We are a single team at Maranello, all working together," Marchionne said.

 "Do not forget that he is the last Ferrari world champion and today he showed that," added Arrivabene.

"Only a champion like him could defend his teammate like a Viking, with no tricks and no deception." 

Commenting on rumors that Vettel may have signed a 'pre-agreement' with Mercedes, Marchionne appeared unconcerned by the prospect. 

"If he does not want to stay, then we will find a different solution and life goes on, because this is Ferrari," said the Italian-Canadian executive.

"But if I look at Sebastian, then in a lot of ways he is already more Italian than many of us!"

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