Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has fuelled speculation regarding a potential move in the future for double world champion Sebastian Vettel, after claiming the driver could coexist at the team with Fernando Alonso.
Rumours have circulated of late that Vettel is on his way to Ferrari when his current contract expires with Red Bull Racing at the end of 2014.
Although that date is some way off, Vettel has made no secret of the fact Ferrari is a team he would love to drive for one day.
The main question that has arisen, however, is whether Vettel and Fernando Alonso could ever work alongside one another, with the Spaniard's deal expiring at the end of 2015.
For the first time, though, Domenicali has suggested that would not be an issue.
"I think they are both intelligent guys and they could easily coexist together," said Domenicali.
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone is of the same mind as Domenicali, although has warned Vettel not to head to Ferrari too soon in his career.
In a joint interview with the duo carried in German newspaper Bild, Ecclestone said: "All drivers want to drive for Ferrari at least once in their career, don't they?
"But I wouldn't advise him to as he's still too young. Usually a driver ends his career at Ferrari, therefore it could happen one day."
With regard to Spaniard Alonso and German Vettel linking up at some point in the future, the 81-year-old added: "That wouldn't be a problem.
"Both are drivers who are always looking for a new challenge and to be in the same team would be a new and big challenge.
"They would both think they can bear the other one, as they are sure of themselves, and Stefano would do what was required so that they were treated equally.
"It would be a case of doing what I did at Brabham in 1979 with Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet.
"I told them, 'Guys it's simple: whichever one of you is quickest is the team number one'."
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