After denying rumours of a Ferrari contract, Sebastian Vettel has now played down persistent suggestions he is eyeing a switch to the famous Italian team in the near future.
“How will this work if I don’t know anything about it?” the German smiled after authoritative British newspapers reported in Monaco that he had signed a pre-contract to move to Ferrari in 2014.
But the rumours only gained strength when Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko confirmed the existence of a clause in Vettel’s contract allowing the 24-year-old to leave under certain conditions at the end of 2013.
“I’m fine where I am and I have no intention of leaving,” Vettel is now quoted by La Presse newspaper ahead of the Canadian grand prix.
In the past, however, the reigning back-to-back world champion has refused to entirely rule out ever driving for one of F1’s marquee names like Ferrari or Mercedes.
“I have worn a Red Bull helmet for most of my career,” insisted Vettel. “It’s difficult to imagine something else. It would be like turning 18 or 19 and leaving home.”
Team boss Christian Horner told the same French-language newspaper that Red Bull is very happy with Vettel.
“His character is his greatest strength,” said the Briton. “He is very determined, he is hungry, he is very professional, very dedicated,” added Horner. “He continues to improve and develop and is still so young that I doubt we have yet seen the best of Sebastian.”
