Raikkonen insists he wants to stay with Ferrari into the 2016 F1 season, but the Scuderia has yet to decide whether to take up an option to retain him amid inconsistent performances.

Vettel said he had been a Raikkonen fan before he reached F1 and also admired his stint in the World Rally Championship in 2010-11.

“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,” said Vettel.

“It’s still the same guy in that car and there is no doubt if you go up and down the paddock, Kimi is one of the most skilled drivers we have.

“I don’t know if other drivers could switch to rallying and be that successful.

“OK, he didn’t win but just look at some of the stuff they are doing, it’s very different and he didn’t grow up with rallying.

“So I found it was very impressive and then to come back from his excursion and be competitive again in F1.”

Raikkonen has been outperformed by Vettel in the first half of the season, with the Finn 59 points adrift of his team-mate in the drivers’ standings.

Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and Williams’s Valtteri Bottas have been linked with Raikkonen’s seat in 2016.

Vettel said that while he is unaware of how things are progressing with the other seat, Ferrari’s priority must be to retain the good morale and atmosphere which has been a feature of the Scuderia this year after a tough 2014 season.

“Whatever happens, it’s important we keep the morale and atmosphere because I think ultimately that is what allows us to be stronger and get back on top,” he said.

“Right now, it is not the time to put your personal preferences on top.

“It’s time to work together with the team and try to do everything we can to be the best.”