Raikkonen expects 'fun' with Vettel

ByAutoSport

Updated 20/11/2014 at 14:34 GMT

Kimi Raikkonen believes his close relationship with new Ferrari Formula 1 team-mate Sebastian Vettel will be a boost to Maranello's efforts to return to the front of the grid.

Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) - GP of Great Britain 2014

Image credit: Ferrari S.p.A.

Nearly two months after Vettel agreed to join Ferrari, the Italian F1 outfit finally announced on Thursday that the German would be replacing Fernando Alonso next year.

The move is one that Raikkonen is excited about, as he claimed that Vettel is the driver he knows the best in the paddock.

"Obviously I haven't worked with him before in the same team but I know him best out of any of the guys," said the Finn.

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"Our relationship has been always been very straightforward and I don't expect any changes.

"On that side, I expect it to be normal and good, and hopefully we can get the team where we should be."

Raikkonen reckons he and Vettel can put their own competitive interests to one side, and actually have "fun" in their quest to help Ferrari.

"I think it is nice to be with him in the same team and obviously the main objective is to get the team, Ferrari, in the position where we should be in front," he said.

"We try to beat each other all the time, but we can have fun and get things done in a good way."

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