Hamilton plays down link-up with Vettel

Lewis Hamilton has appeared to pour cold water on Sebastian Vettel joining him at Mercedes.

Vettel, who leads Hamilton in the title race by 14 points as the sport returns to action in Belgium following its four-week hiatus, is out of contract with Ferrari at the end of the year.

Ferrari have already confirmed that Kimi Raikkonen will remain with the Italian outfit in 2018, but the identity of his teammate remains unclear.

Vettel, 30, said a decision on his whereabouts next year is unlikely to be made within a fortnight, thus ruling out an announcement at Ferrari’s home race in Monza next weekend.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has previously stated that a move for Vettel must be considered, and the team’s failure to extend Valtteri Bottas’s deal only lends to the theory that the four-time champion could be on the move.

Such a switch would see Hamilton and Vettel join forces at Mercedes in an equally mouthwatering and explosive partnership, that could rival the toxicity of Hamilton’s inter-team battle with Nico Rosberg.

Hamilton appeared unconvinced that Vettel, who enjoys clear No 1 status at Ferrari, will replace Bottas next season.

“I think it is highly unlikely,” said Hamilton, who will this week celebrate his 200th grand prix. “I know he doesn’t want to be my team-mate. He would not be in the position he is now in terms of how this team operate if he was here.

“I am always game to race whoever it is, and racing against the best drivers is always a great thing.

“But I don’t believe any of the bosses at Mercedes or any of the individuals here at the team is unhappy with what is currently in place, so I find it hard to believe they will change that.”

Lewis Hamilton: will drive his 200th grand prix this week.