Gerhard Berger questions Ferrari's handling of James Allion exit

Gerhard Berger has criticised the way Ferrari handled James Allison's departure from the team.

Just a week ago in Hungary team principal Maurizio Arrivabene angrily dismissed speculation that Allison was set to leave the team, only for Ferrari to confirm the Brit's departure days later. Now former Ferrari driver Berger has suggested the team may have even lied about the former Renault man's exit from the team.

"Ferrari behaved as though there were nothing in the rumours and three days later confirmed them," the Austrian told Germany's Auto Bild. "We can now consider what is worse: that they did not know about it, or that they lied."

Drivers quiet on Allison departure

Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen didn't comment much on the situation on Thursdaybut Raikkonen said he had "respect" for Allison.

Vettel, meanwhile, insisted: "Obviously there will be a difference but in the short term it doesn't change that much."

However, he played down the need for Ferrari to recruit more people from the outside, saying: "No, I think we have the right people on board," the German driver insisted at Hockenheim.

"Obviously it (Allison's departure) is a big change now, which doesn't impact on tomorrow's work but obviously for the future. No doubt about it, but I think things are heading in the right direction."

"In Maurizio's case as well, he's been in formula one and involved for a long time, so I think he knows the business very well and I think he's doing a very, very good job," said Vettel.

"That's how we all feel in the team. He's our leader, he's the team principal and we're happy he's with us."