Hulkenberg plays down ongoing Ferrari rumours

Nico Hulkenberg has played down continuing suggestions he has merely ’parked’ at Sauber for a year, before possibly switching to Ferrari in 2014.

Told that the rumours are still abounding in the paddock, the German driver said: "It doesn’t concern me at all.

"I don’t talk about the contents of my contracts and, anyway, I haven’t even done a single race for Sauber yet," said the 25-year-old, who has moved from Force India to Ferrari-aligned Sauber for 2013.

He continued: "Of course I hear the speculation, and it’s even a form of recognition, but the whole thing leaves me completely untouched," Hulkenberg is quoted by the SID news agency.

"I am concentrating completely on the coming season and, first of all, Melbourne."

Told, however, that a driver of his rising stature and potential must be targeting a future seat at Ferrari, he answered: "But it doesn’t mean I will (go)."