Sebastian Vettel will be partnered by the young and dynamic Charles Leclerc at Ferrari from 2019, a move that has been talk of the F1 world for the last few weeks.
Raikkonen’s departure from Ferrari did leave the fans a little bewildered as to what exactly happened and why Kimi was moving to Sauber. While Kimi did clear some of our doubts in yesterday’s press conference, there are still a few questions left to be answered about how the entire Leclerc deal came into being.
Sebastian Vettel would be mighty affected by this move, as Kimi and he have shared a brilliant relationship with each other, one where they have been supportive of each other and have never let anything come in the midst of a healthy professional relationship.
Vettel hadn’t addressed the media during the rumour time right after the Italian GP, but did so yesterday, speaking about how sad he was that Kimi was sure to leave post 2018.
“One thing you can express in numbers and results and so on but I think that’s not the most important thing. The most important thing if you are team mates is the respect that you have for each other.
“And probably the degree of bullshit going on between each other. With Kimi it’s been zero from the start and I don’t think it will change until the end.
“Obviously it’s a great chance for Charles but it’s sad to know Kimi is not there any more because I think we get along very well even though we are different we have a lot of mutual respect.” Vettel said.
Vettel admitted that he hadn’t spoken to Leclerc until now but will congratulate him as soon as he sees him.
“I don’t have his number,” he said.
“These days I’m sure he was very busy anyway.
“If I get to see him then I’m sure I will find the right words. By the sounds of it we will have enough time to exchange our phone number in future.” he concluded.
