Jean Todt believed that Kimi Raikkonen would fit in better than Alonso, therefore Ferrari did not pursue the world champion it has emerged. In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Todt said, “Ferrari never spoke with Alonso. He and Kimi are as drivers on the same level, but I thought that Kimi fit in better with Ferrari and with me.”
“I like Kimi, I find him modest and not at all arrogant, but I do not yet know him really well,” Todt continued. Raikkonen has had a mixed start to his time at Ferrari with some blistering times, and some reliability issues.
Todt also went on to comment on Raikkonen and Massa’s relationship at Ferrari. “They respect each other and are equally ambitious. Michael and Felipe were friends but Kimi and Felipe do not yet know each other as well. The most important thing is that they mutually cooperate, and they are doing this well.”
