Todt: Ferrari vow to protect Raikkonen
Ferrari chief executive Jean Todt has said his team will do everything they can to protect Kimi Raikkonen next season, amid continued talk that the Finn is going to struggle to fill the void left by Michael Schumacher
Raikkonen has been surrounded by speculation that his work ethic may not be a match for that of Schumacher's - which could lead to problems in the future.
But Todt is adamant that Raikkonen will deliver for Ferrari - and that it will be the team's responsibility to get the best out of the former Sauber and McLaren driver.
"I have a very good feeling with Kimi," Todt said in an interview with The Times. "I am sure that Kimi will have a very good enjoyment here at Ferrari, where he will be able to deliver. My responsibility, our responsibility, will be to allow Kimi to work as best he can and to protect him.
"I don't like to talk too much. I think the facts are more important. People who work at Ferrari have stayed for ten years, so I really hope that Kimi will stay for the next ten years at Ferrari."
Todt makes it clear that Raikkonen and teammate Felipe Massa will have equal status at the team - something that has not always been the case in the past when Schumacher was there.
"Felipe is going to drive for Ferrari, Kimi is going to drive for Ferrari — there never has been a No 1 or No 2," Todt said. "Time will tell who has the best chance to compete for Ferrari for the championship."
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