Vettel: Early Kimi Raikkonen decision ‘important’ and the ‘right call’

Vettel happy with Kimi

Sebastian Vettel believes it’s "important? that Ferrari have confirmed their driver line-up so early in the season, putting to rest constant speculation as to who his team-mate will be next year.

Ferrari confirmed on Friday morning that Kimi Raikkonen will remain with the team in 2017, extending his contract by a single season.

There had been reports that Ferrari were considering replacing the Finn if his results didn’t pick up this year, with Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez prime candidates.

With the confirmation, Vettel says the team can now focus on getting the results they need, rather than worrying about who will partner him.

"It's important, there has been a lot of talk," said the four-time champion. "Now that all goes to quiet and we can focus on our work."

Vettel described the move as the “right call", believing they’re a good pairing with the “least ego problems" on the grid.

"We're both pushing hard, trying to help the team as much as we can, putting our own interests aside and not letting that impact on the team's effort, so I think it was the right call," he added.

"I would say probably Kimi and myself have the least ego problems in the whole paddock, which I think is good for the team. It's the least complicated, let's put it this way.

"In general, I've got along with all the team-mates I've had. Here and there we've had some difficulties but with Kimi, there is no politics.

"It's good, it keeps everything quiet. We put our own egos aside, they are not so big, which is good for the team."