Indian GP: Sebastian Vettel denies signing for Ferrari
Last updated on .From the section Formula 1
Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel has denied that he has signed any agreement to join Ferrari in the future.
BBC Sport reported two weeks ago that Ferrari already have a deal in place with the German, with an option for the 25-year-old to join them in 2014.
Vettel said: "There is nothing to tell, nothing I have signed. It is amusing. I don't know where it came from."
Vettel was dismissive of the claim and said he was concerned it could have caused problems at Red Bull.
"There is nothing to report and I am very happy at Red Bull Racing," he said.
His response was to a question as to whether he had any arrangement, or had had any talks, with Ferrari about his future.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says the team have a binding contract with Vettel to the end of 2014 and told BBC Sport: "Sebastian Vettel without a shadow of doubt, will be part of the Red Bull Racing team in 2014."
Ferrari sources continue to insist that there is an arrangement in place between the Italian team and Vettel with a view to him joining them.
They are not clear on the exact details but they say Vettel's long-term future will be at Ferrari.
On Sunday, Vettel beat Alonso to win the Indian Grand Prix to take his fourth victory in a row and extend his championship lead over the Spaniard to 13 points.
Horner said afterwards: "Sebastian and the team have a very strong relationship. We both know exactly where we stand now and for the future.
"Of course all members read the media, they read the internet, so it was important to dispel any speculation that he may be going elsewhere. I did that on the day the rumours were circulated.
"Sebastian has been with Red Bull since he was 12 or 13 years of age. He has achieved all his grand prix victories in Red Bull-designed cars.
"He is very happy being part of this team and he is an important part of this team and hopefully that will continue for many years to come."
Asked if he expected Vettel's next contract to be with Red Bull, Horner said: "I can't think of any driver that wouldn't want a contract with Red Bull at the moment."
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Bernie has just announced that to make the sport more competitive, next year Vettel has to design the car and Newey has to drive it.
Then explain why Vettel only won ONE of the first THIRTEEN races when the Red Bull wasn't the fastest car on the grid.
Strangely, whilst Vettel might go on to win a third WDC this year, the suspicion that he is more reliant than most on a great car to win, has been strengtened.
This put Benson in an unenviable position:
Should I put my name to the story or just sign it "from a BBC correspondent" or "a well-wisher" (not)?
No darn it - let's go for the glory of seeing one's name on the web!
just so I am clear, which driver is he biased for and which is he against?
Also, if you want others to take you even half seriously, you should try leaving out the conspiracy theories - anyone who supports AB is working for the BBC! Really?
Alonsos recent comments where he said he was fighting Newey were clearly a dig at Vettel.
So if Ferrari cant beat Newey, then hire him!
I have to say i found todays GP extremely boring.
You what? - Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I think you may be dead!
I am quite willing to admit you are correct - providing, of course, you can show some examples of the bias you refer too in AB reporting. What generally happens is one sentence is taken from the entire article and then held up in isolation as proof of bias, but when read as a whole the article is balanced.
You may not agree with everything AB says but that does not make him biased.
Is it possible that its just the bias of those reading the articles that is the problem?
If your username is any guide, I would expect you to have no problem with a hand clutch. BTW I also know Jamie Oliver and he said he knew several Wayne Kerrs but none that flew helicopters. Did you get confused and forget that you are really a space shuttle pilot as JO said he knew one of them.
.. and with the best designer in F1, Adrian Newey, insisting that he wants to stay with Red Bull...
When Adrian was interviewed by Sky, he hardly insisted that he wanted to stay! It was more along the lines of (and I paraphrase) 'I would love to work for Ferrari but I fear it may be to late'. I think that was very telling and I doubt it was what Christian wanted to hear!
My comment would be that Vettel may be getting tired of the suggestion that he is not a great because he has the best car (see Ted Kravitz interview on Sky). He may not be considered a "legend" unless he moves on.