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Ferrari won't back Raikkonen over Vettel despite points advantage
Ferrari insists that Kimi Raikkonen's increasing advantage over Sebastian Vettel will not result in it throwing all its efforts behind the Finn.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: May 17, 2016, 5:45 PM
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Raikkonen's second place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix means he is now second in the drivers' championship, 13 points clear of Vettel.
But despite the growing competitiveness of Red Bull meaning it likely that every point will be valuable in 2016, Ferrari says that there is no thought to shifting its priorities to back one of its men.
Asked about the possibility of a change of focus in light of the Raikkonen points situation, team principal Maurizio Arrivabene said: "It does not change anything. We must not think of anything else but the development of the car."
Raikkonen future
Raikkonen's competitiveness so far this season has boosted his chances of staying at Ferrari in 2017, especially now that Max Verstappen is off the market.
Speaking about the Dutchman extended his deal at Red Bull, Arrivabene said: "We have two drivers who are very strong.
"Red Bull has just started a new relationship with Verstappen, and I don't think he will have moved from Toro Rosso without making sure there was an armour-played contract.
"We have our drivers. There are 16 races still to go so I think it is premature to think about it now."
Monaco promise
Ferrari will devote time at this week's Barcelona test to getting a better understanding of the tyre management issues that hit its qualifying form in Spain.
And that is a situation which it believes truly hindered its potential in Spain – and will not be an issue in Monaco.
"Monaco has little to do with Barcelona – it is another story," added Arrivabene. "We do not have a problem with corners – but with a combination of track layout, the type of asphalt and the tyres."
Additional reporting by Roberto Chinchero
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