Jan.29 (GMM) Luca di Montezemolo has insisted there is "absolutely nothing" to rumours about Sebastian Vettel becoming Ferrari's next driver.

Insiders had interpreted recent comments by the pair as reciprocal flirtations about a joint future.

But as Ferrari's new F150 car was launched at Maranello and successfully debuted by Fernando Alonso at Fiorano, president Montezemolo on Friday played down suggestions reigning world champion Vettel could soon switch from Red Bull to the famous Italian team.

"I hope that (the next Ferrari driver) will come from the Ferrari driver academy, because that would mean that he's a top star," he said.

The cream of Ferrari's academy is 21-year-old Frenchman Jules Bianchi, who has been signed as a test driver for 2011.

As for Vettel, Montezemolo said: "There is absolutely nothing going on, apart from the congratulations for a wonderful season and the fact that he knew how to benefit from the last race in Abu Dhabi."

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version