Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko has claimed that four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel joined Ferrari because he believed in the "myth" that the Italian team is still the best in Formula 1.

The German is set to replace Fernando Alonso at the Scuderia from next season, with Daniil Kvyat being promoted from Toro Rosso to partner Daniel Ricciardo.

However, Marko has playfully suggested that Vettel's switch could be a bad choice.

He told F1's official website: "Ferrari is still the name in F1. It's a myth, so every driver yearns to go there in their racing career. Sure, much of it is about illusions.

"Sebastian has already won [the title] four times. Now it's time for the myth. I also believe that the moment to move was ideal: Ferrari is down, and in such a situation you can dictate your conditions."

Alonso's future on the F1 grid is far from certain, with the possibility that the two-time drivers' champion could be left without a race seat for 2015, despite continued links with a switch to McLaren.