Raikkonen doubts Vettel/Ferrari relation as bad as rumored

Kimi Raikkonen is not putting much credence in the current rumors about a bad relationship lingering at Ferrari between Sebastian Vettel and the Scuderia.

The announcement in May of Vettel's departure from Maranello at the end of the season took many by surprise.

Last week, the German driver revealed that he was informed of the team's decision by Scuderia boss Mattia Binotto over the phone, without an offer to the four-time world champion ever being tabled.

Vettel's comments contradicted the official narrative previously put forward by Binotto, and prompted pundits - including former F1 driver Mark Webber - to argue that the relationship had soured between team and driver.

• Webber: Relationship over between 'empty' Vettel and Ferrari

But Raikkonen, who raced alongside his good friend Vettel at Ferrari from 2015 to 2018, doubts the atmosphere is as bad as people are making it out to be.

"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 GP.

"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."

Raikkonen also challenged the notion that Ferrari would perhaps give preferential treatment to Charles Leclerc given that Vettel is no longer included in the Italian outfit's plans.

"I’m certain that they get exactly the same treatment, both of them," he said

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

"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."

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