Raikkonen doubts Vettel/Ferrari relationship in F1 as bad as portrayed

Vettel will leave Ferrari at the end of the year after the team opted against offering him a new contract beyond 2020, signing Carlos Sainz Jr. from Ferrari.

Vettel revealed last weekend in Austria that he was "surprised" to not receive an offer from Ferrari, with his story contradicting the initial explanation offered by the team regarding his exit.

Raikkonen raced alongside Vettel at Ferrari between 2015 and 2018 before being dropped and joining Alfa Romeo. The Finn is known to have a good personal friendship with the four-time world champion.

Asked by Autosport if he felt Vettel was being treated unfairly by Ferrari since his exit was confirmed, Raikkonen said he did not think relations had soured as people may think.

"Honestly, I spoke to him last weekend, quickly when we saw each other, I think it was before the start, and that's all that I know," Raikkonen said.

"I don't know what is going on there, it's none of my business. I think it's unfair to comment if someone is treated badly or not, because I don't know what is going on.

"I doubt that they have as bad relationship as people are making out.

"Obviously sometimes it goes this way, that you leave the team, or choose to leave, whichever way it is. We'll see what happens in his future. You need to ask from him.

"I wouldn't put too much saying how difficult it is right now after one race. It wasn't the most easy for [Alfa Romeo] either. I'm sure they can be much stronger than they were last weekend."

Raikkonen's exit from Ferrari was confirmed after the 2018 Italian Grand Prix, with the team announcing Leclerc as his replacement with seven races still remaining in the season.

But Raikkonen said he was not treated any differently by Ferrari once his departure had been confirmed.

"No, absolutely not," Raikkonen said.

"I'm certain that they get exactly the same treatment, both of them.

"It's in their benefit to try to get the best result on both cars, so I don't see why they would do anything else."