- Ferrari
Raikkonen expects simple Vettel partnership
Kimi Raikkonen expects a "straightforward" partnership with Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari and is looking forward to battling his friend in equal machinery.
On Thursday Ferrari confirmed Vettel will join Ferrari on a three-year deal in 2015, where he will partner Raikkonen. The pair consider each other their closest friend in the paddock and Raikkonen does not expect their relationship to change as team-mates.
"Time will tell obviously but I think it's nice to be with him in the same team," Raikkonen said. "The main objective is to get Ferrari into the position we should be at the front. On the way we will try to beat each other all the time but we will can have fun and get things done in a good way.
"I haven't worked with him before in the same team but I know him best out of any guy [on the grid]. Our relationship has always been very straightforward so I wouldn't expect any changes on that side. I expect it to be normal, let's say, and good and hopefully we can get the team back to where it should be."
After a frustrating year, Raikkonen is set for his first season without a podium since his debut in 2001. The Ferrari F14 T lacks the front-end grip Raikkonen desires but he does not think the arrival of Vettel will help from a technical point of view.
"Obviously the way he drives isn't going to change my driving style so it doesn't really change my side at all. Next year is different, the car is different, so I don't expect to have a similar season and we should be where we should be. I'm sure we can [fix the car] but is it good enough? Time will tell. I trust 100% the people designing the car and working on it, they cannot be much better, but it also depends on what other people find and do."
Raikkonen is known for his blunt responses to the media and when quizzed about whether he would prefer Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg to win the 2014 world championship in Abu Dhabi, the Finn replied: "I don't really care. Mercedes will win, so that's fine."
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