Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel 'flattered' by Ferrari interest

Sebastian Vettel has again confirmed he would one day love to drive for Ferrari, but admits life at Red Bull could continue to be too good to leave.

Vettel has been plagued by constant speculation this season linking him with a move to Maranello, with suggestions the 25 -year-old has already signed a pre-contract agreement to join Ferrari in 2014.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner vehemently denied the rumours a fortnight ago, with double world champion Vettel further dismissing the gossip.

But ahead of his home grand prix at Hockenheim this weekend, Vettel is honest enough to admit the lure of Ferrari is strong.

Vettel said: "I am honoured (team principal) Stefano Domenicali and (president) Luca di Montezemolo see me as a driver for Ferrari.

"I'm flattered, but there has been no signal from me, I've not signed anything, nor agreed anything with a handshake.

"But if you asked the 24 drivers in Formula One if they would like to go to Ferrari in their career, all 24 would say 'yeah', and it is the same with me.

"They are just an awesome race team. But it (a move) has to fit on all sides.

"Who knows, maybe things change and suddenly I go somewhere else, or it may be I never go anywhere else in my career because there simply is no better package than Red Bull."

Vettel has every intention of honouring his deal with Red Bull that ties him to the team through to the end of 2014,

Asked by German newspaper Bild whether he could allow himself to think about leaving Red Bull for Ferrari beyond that, Vettel replied: "No, no and again no.

"Look at what is happening this season. It is very tight at the top, so I'm doing enough to take care of this season.

"The here and now is crucial. I want to defend my title and that is hard, so I cannot and will not concern myself with what is perhaps in a few years. It is much, much, much too early.

"(Fernando) Alonso recently said he was rumoured to have first made contact with Ferrari in 2005, but it was not until 2010 that happened. In between were five years."

Vettel has also dismissed any suggestion the link with Ferrari is continually being aired to try and destabilise him and the team.

Vettel added: "There is no trouble at Red Bull. My boss (Horner) knows exactly how I feel.

"We deal openly with each other, so, no, no, Ferrari doesn't make us nervous."

PA