( CNN ) -- The man who made Formula One 's bravest comeback has given his seal of approval to Kimi Raikkonen 's dramatic decision to return to Ferrari . Niki Lauda -- whose return from life threatening injuries has been immortalized this year in the Hollywood film `` Rush '' -- won his second world title for Ferrari in 1977 , just one year after the fiery crash that almost took his life . When asked by CNN 's The Circuit what he made of Raikkonen 's renaissance for Ferrari , Lauda , a man who does not mince his words , said : `` Very good . `` It 's the right decision by [ Ferrari president Luca di ] Montezemolo because Ferrari has been behind Red Bull on the last four world championships , which does n't make him happy , '' added Lauda . The Austrian three time world champion also predicted the arrival of the ambitious Finnish driver will give a `` kick '' to current Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso -- a suggestion the Spaniard denied ahead of this weekend 's Singapore Grand Prix . Interactive : The Circuit 's guide to Singapore . The Italian team will field the sport 's most potent driver line up in 2014 , pairing Raikkonen with Alonso , the man they replaced the Finn with for the 2010 season . Raikkonen raced to Ferrari 's last drivers ' world title in 2007 while the Spaniard has two world titles , won with Renault in 2005 and 2006 , on his resume . Pairing two ambitious world champions on opposite sides of the garage is a risky move . It is also a departure from Ferrari 's policy of running a No.1 driver -- a role Alonso held for the last four seasons -- with a driver playing a supporting role . Raikkonen has replaced Felipe Massa , who famously handed victory to Alonso at the 2010 German Grand Prix when the team implicitly employed team orders by telling the Brazilian over the pit-to-car radio : `` Fernando is faster than you . '' Lauda predicts Raikkonen 's arrival will be a wake up call to Alonso -- and one that should make the 32 year-old raise his game . `` With Massa and Alonso it was very clear that Alonso was the No.1 , '' Lauda commented . `` With Kimi coming there , it will kick Alonso to go quicker . `` They are strong characters . It will need strong leadership from the top of Ferrari to keep them under control but for the team itself to suddenly get going , this was the right decision . '' Lauda speaks with some authority . `` Rush '' adramatizes his arch rivalry with flamboyant British driver James Hunt and the Austrian is now drawing on his own experiences of managing on track rivalries as a non executive chairman of the Mercedes F1 team . The 64 year-old was instrumental in persuading 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton to partner Nico Rosberg at Mercedes from McLaren for the 2013 season . Hamilton 's move was also considered to be a risk but it has paid off as he won the Hungarian Grand Prix , while McLaren is yet to score a podium , and Rosberg has also claimed two race wins . Lauda says pairing two talented drivers within the same team has helped Rosberg and Hamilton push harder . `` I got Hamilton last year , I convinced him to join the team and he made a hell of a difference , '' Lauda explained . `` Suddenly you have two drivers pushing each other and [ who ] have a good relationship , this is the most important thing . '' Alonso does not necessarily agree with Lauda 's assessment . The Spaniard told reporters in Singapore ahead of this weekend 's grand prix that Raikkonen 's arrival in 2014 will do little to change his work ethic for Ferrari . `` The motivation will be always similar , '' he said . `` I will do my best all the time . I do n't think anyone will push me more than I push now . `` Two world champions - I do n't think that makes any difference . '' Money problems for Raikkonen . Raikkonen spoke to the media for the first time since being unveiled as a Ferrari driver and also rejected suggestions that he and Alonso would not be able to work together in 2014 . `` I do n't see the reason why it would n't work , '' said the 33 year-old . `` We are all old enough to know what we are doing . `` If there is something , I 'm sure we can talk it through . It 's not like we are 20 year-old guys any more . `` I might be wrong -- time will tell -- but I 'm pretty sure everything will be good . For sure there will be hard fights on the race circuits , sometimes things go wrong ... I 'm pretty sure it will all be OK. '' The Finnish driver , not known for his effusive answers when talking to the media , also revealed he decided to leave the Lotus at the end of 2013 because he is owed money by the team . `` The reasons why I left from the team is purely on the money side , that they have n't got my salary , '' Raikkonen explained . `` It 's an unfortunate thing but like I said , I want to try and help the team as much as I can and I like to race . ''
Niki Lauda says Ferrari has made a `` very good '' decision by signing Kimi Raikkonen for 2014 . The three-time world champion says it will also provide a `` kick '' for Fernando Alonso . He warns managing Raikkonen and Alonso in 2014 will take `` strong leadership '' Lauda says bringing Lewis Hamilton to Mercedes made `` hell of a difference ''