Kimi Raikkonen believes claims of Sebastian Vettel’s relationship with Ferrari falling apart are overhyped.
Before the first race of the new Formula 1 season last weekend in Austria, the truth of Vettel’s exit from the Scuderia after 2020 was revealed as the four-time world champion said he’d received a “surprise” phone call from team boss Mattia Binotto informing him of his decision not to renew his contract.
The German also cast doubt on the reasons given by Binotto for his decision, namely the impact from the coronavirus pandemic.
This outspokenness is somewhat unheard of when it comes to a driver talking about Ferrari while still employed by the company, and Vettel’s former Red Bull teammate Mark Webber claimed it was proof of how poor the relationship was.
“The relationship is over,” he said on the In the Fast Lane podcast. “The chemistry is gone, the marriage is over.
“Sebastian is dressed in red, he’s driving a red car but he’s there for himself. In some scenarios, you’d wish that it could be over now because that’s pretty much how it’s looking.”
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However, having gone through the process of leaving Ferrari twice in his career, Raikkonen doubts that is totally the case.
“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,” he said on Thursday via Autosport.
“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.
“But I doubt that they have as bad of a 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 if Ferrari had changed their approach with him during the times when it was known Kimi was leaving the team, he 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.”
