Red Bull link positive insists Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton has hit back at Christian Horner’s claim that pairing him with Sebastian Vettel would risk creating "fireworks" at Red Bull.

"Look at me and Jenson (Button)," said the McLaren driver, referring to his current teammate. "World champions can definitely race together as long as there is quality in the team."

British reporters asked the 26-year-old if the rumours and counter-rumours about his future, particularly the link with Red Bull, had him "rattled".

He denied it and insisted it’s "positive I’m being talked about, which means I’m not forgotten", added Hamilton in quotes published by Fleet Street newspapers from Malaysia.

But apparently pouring water on a possible tie-up with Red Bull, Hamilton suggested Vettel is the one who would cause the fireworks if he switched to the reigning championship-winning team.

"Some individuals can take being beaten, some are better losers or better winners," he said.

"When I beat Jenson, he doesn’t whinge and say ’Oh, Lewis has a better car than me or Lewis did this and I did that’."

And he tentatively committed his future to McLaren.

"I’m contracted for the next two years and I want to win world championships here. I hope that continues, but you never know what happens in the future," said Hamilton.