Sebastian Vettel believes Kimi Raikkonen is still one of the most skilled drivers in Formula One amid rumours he may be without a drive next year.
Raikkonen's future is in doubt as Ferrari assesses whether to take up a contractual option to retain him next year. Vettel joined the team this year as Raikkonen's team-mate and said it was a big deal to go up against a driver he had admired before he even arrived in F1.
"I remember the days when I was sitting in front of the TV at home and looking at Kimi's onboard laps full of admiration," Vettel said. "It's still the same guy in that car, I think there's no doubt if you go up and down the paddock that Kimi's one of the most skilled drivers we have.
"I don't know if other drivers could switch to rallying, be that successful - obviously people expect Kimi to win in rallying and he didn't, blah, blah, blah - but just looking at some of the stuff they are doing is very different. He didn't grow up with rallying so I found it very impressive. Then to come back from his excursion to Formula One and be competitive again.
"I think right now is not the time to put your personal preferences on top, it's the time to work together with the team and try to do everything we can to be the best team out there."
Vettel said whoever Ferrari's second drive turns out to be in 2016, he needs to be a team player willing to work to get the team back to the top.
"I know my role and in the end it's about Ferrari, it's about the team. So I think that's the most important thing for Kimi and for myself right now. Obviously I want to beat him, he wants to beat me, that's normal competition, but the thing I appreciate a lot about Kimi is there is no bullshit - just to quote him!
"So we are both obviously working in the same direction, trying to help the team. I can't really comment and I don't really know the situation what's going on, but whatever happens I think it's important we keep the morale, the atmosphere as a team and we keep working in one direction because I think ultimately that's what allows us to become strong again and be back on top which is all our dream."