Hamilton rules out Vettel joining Mercedes News

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Hamilton rules out Vettel joining Mercedes

By Daily Sports on August 25, 2017

Lewis Hamilton has dismissed the chances of title rival Sebastian Vettel joining him at Mercedes next year.

Vettel is out of contract at the end of this season and a new deal has not yet been announced, even though Ferrari re-signed his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen this week.

"I know he doesn't want to be my team-mate," Hamilton said.

"He wouldn't have the position he is in now in terms of how his team operates if he was here.

"That is a reference to Ferrari focusing all their efforts on Vettel's title campaign to the detriment of Raikkonen.

Vettel won the last race in Hungary despite a steering problem after the Finn was told not to challenge him and remain in second place to protect him from attacks from Hamilton.

By contrast, Mercedes operate a looser policy, in which the two drivers are allowed to race.

Bottas gave up third place in Hungary to Hamilton after the Englishman asked to be let by to attack the Ferraris but said he would give the place back if he could not make ground.

Hamilton ceded third place to Bottas on the final lap.Vettel leads Hamilton by 14 points in the championship with Bottas a further 19 points adrift.

On Vettel's future, Hamilton added: "It's highly unlikely he'll be here. But I am always game to race whoever it is and racing against the best drivers is always a great thing."

•Photo shows Lewis Hamilton.

Source Daily Sports

Posted August 25, 2017