Raikkonen: Vettel partnership built on 'no bullshit'

Kimi Raikkonen says he and Sebastian Vettel have developed a fine partnership at Ferrari by keeping "politics or other bullshit" out of the team. Vettel has routinely talked up his partnership with the veteran amid reports that he could be replaced by Charles Leclerc at Ferrari in 2019.

Raikkonen remains winless since returning to the Scuderia in 2014, however his form as picked up in 2018 and a run of five consecutive podium finishes ahead of the summer shutdown is his best since his title-winning campaign 11 years ago.

According to reports in Italy, Raikkonen may well be handed another one-year deal by Ferrari as the team's new chiefs look to limit the upheaval brought on by Sergio Marchionne's sudden passing ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Although yet to have been offered any clues on his future, Raikkonen is hopeful of continuing his fruitful partnership with Vettel into a fifth year,

Asked how he viewed Vettel' praise, Raikkonen told Sport Bild: "It's better than if he would say that I'm an idiot! Actually, he says that also, but more rarely...

"Seriously, we have always got along well.

"With him there are no politics or other bullshit but a totally normal friendship. Of course, I would like to stay but that is alone Ferrari's decision. I wait for it same as you do.

"He is very straight forward and hasn't changed with his success. Even when we sometimes crashed, it's not a topic anymore after we talked about it.

"Also after our crash in Singapore 2017 there were neither discussions nor silence. He is a guy who can admit that it was his mistake and I'm the same. It is much better to work in this nice atmosphere. That also makes the car quicker than if we would be at war with each other.

"We both have the same aim: make Ferrari the world champion. We complete each other very well in our ways to push the team."