Vettel sees no reason to replace Raikkonen as teammate

Raikkonen's contract at the Maranello team runs out at the end of this season, and the squad has made it clear that if the Finn keeps delivering as he is now then he is likely to be awarded a fresh contract.

However, that has not stopped speculation that other drivers could be in the frame, including Nico Rosberg and Daniel Ricciardo, who have both been linked with the outfit.

Speaking in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Vettel said on Saturday that the rumours were no surprise, but he could not see the benefit in hiring anyone different.

"Every day I read a new name – just as I read that I should have come to Ferrari a year later," explained Vettel.

"I am fine with Raikkonen. There is no teammate who could be less complicated, and he is not political.

"Between us there is respect, he is calm and I think it would be nice to continue together. But it does not depend on me. "

When asked if he had the power to give his opinion on who Ferrari should take, Vettel said: "Yes, but it is not for me to decide. However, I find it right that a driver is involved in the discussion with the team."

Title potential

Although Ferrari's season has not gone as well as the team or Vettel would have hoped for, the German remains convinced about the future prospects the outfit.

"We are very far from being perfect in many areas," he said. "The team has great potential, but unfortunately we do not have one second hidden in our pocket.

"If I make the comparison with Mercedes, we are missing something in the engine and the aerodynamics.

"In Spain we struggled to run the tyres in the right temperature window, while others identified right away what was ideal. It was a mistake and it is up to us to do a better job."