Breaking news
Formula 1
Raikkonen would welcome Vettel as teammate
Kimi Raikkonen is also confident that Ferrari will be stronger come 2015.
GMM
Edited: Oct 4, 2014, 2:33 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Oct.4 (GMM) Ferrari is yet to confirm the news, but the famous team looks set to enter the 2015 season with Sebastian Vettel alongside Kimi Raikkonen.
It is now an open paddock secret that Alonso and Ferrari made the decision to terminate the rest of their contract - scheduled to run until the end of 2016 - on Thursday.
I'm here because I want to be here ... I could leave tonight, but I can also continue for two or ten more years if I want.
Kimi Raikkonen
According to Red Bull, quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel will replace the Spaniard.
Raikkonen and Vettel already friendly with one another
And despite Kimi Raikkonen's struggles in 2014, the Finn has a watertight contract and so he looks set to be Vettel's teammate in red.
Famously, the pair are friends.
I strongly believe that we will be in better positions next season
Kimi Raikkonen
Asked by the Finnish broadcaster MTV3 if he would be happy to work with Vettel at Ferrari, Raikkonen said at Suzuka: "Absolutely.
"I have never worked with him, we've always been in different teams, but I know him well."
Raikkonen played down any lingering doubts that he might join Alonso in departing the crisis-struck Maranello camp, amid 'academy' driver Jules Bianchi's obvious interest in stepping up for 2015.
Raikkonen confident that 2015 will be better
"I have a contract," said Raikkonen, "and I expect that I am here next year.
"I strongly believe that we will be in better positions next season.
"I know Marco (Mattiacci) has said he does not expect us to be at the front next year, but who knows," the 2007 world champion added.
"Lots of things happen in Formula One, including big steps in development.
"I'm here because I want to be here," said Raikkonen. "I could leave tonight, but I can also continue for two or ten more years if I want."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Dennis says Alonso deal not done and neither McLaren driver is safe yet
Next article Mercedes' Rosberg claimed pole position for tomorrow's Japanese GP
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Kimi Raikkonen
David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's
Formula 1
Formula 1
Spanish GP
David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
More from
Ferrari
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
9 h
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Ferrari promotes F2 racer to F1 reserve driver role
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Ferrari promotes F2 racer to F1 reserve driver role
Latest news
NASCAR explains why they penalized Zane Smith after latest clash with Carson Hocevar
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
4 h
NASCAR explains why they penalized Zane Smith after latest clash with Carson Hocevar
Porsche boss Laudenbach says he is "not happy" with how things were handled by IMSA in 2026
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 5 h
Porsche boss Laudenbach says he is "not happy" with how things were handled by IMSA in 2026
Five things to watch out for at the F1 United States GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
5 h
Five things to watch out for at the F1 United States GP
KTM sees MotoGP 2027 as a fresh start: “We never had the chance to build a new bike”
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP 6 h
KTM sees MotoGP 2027 as a fresh start: “We never had the chance to build a new bike”
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe