Vettel playing down talks of replacing Rosberg

SEBASTIAN Vettel has played down claims he could partner Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next year following world champion Nico Rosberg’s shock move to retire from the sport.

Rosberg’s decision to walk away from motor racing, just five days after sealing his maiden title, leaves Mercedes, Formula One’s all-conquering team who have won 51 of the last 59 races, with a vacant seat next season.

Vettel, the four-time world champion, who has just finished a disappointing campaign with Ferrari after he failed to record a single victory, has been mooted as a mouth-watering candidate to replace his compatriot Rosberg at the German manufacturer.

But the 29-year-old still has one year to run on his Ferrari contract, and Vettel rebuffed suggestions he could team up with Hamilton in 2017.

Asked at the Ferrari Finals in Daytona whether he had been in touch with Mercedes, Vettel replied: “I think it is not a big secret. Kimi (Raikkonen) and myself both have a contract (at Ferrari) for next year so it should be clear.

“A lot of things are happening but for us it is rather quiet which is a good sign. We are focusing on the job we have which is a lot of work for next year.

“There are a lot of changes to the car so a lot of effort is going in, and there could be a surprise but we will have to wait and see.

“When the rules change things can move around. Hopefully, it moves us up, and makes us stronger, but it is impossible now to have any expectations.”

Reflecting on Rosberg’s retirement, Vettel added: “It is his decision and we should respect that.

“It is a very brave one because it is much easier to carry on but if he feels it is time to stop, it is time to stop. You only have one life so you might as well spend it the way you want.”