Vettel denies signing Ferrari deal

Sebastian Vettel has denied reports he has signed a ’pre-contract’ to move to Ferrari in 2014.

Two British Sunday newspapers reported the rumour just ahead of the Monaco grand prix.

"Maybe they needed to fill up some space in their newspapers," the reigning world champion, who remains under contract to Red Bull for the foreseeable future, told the Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung in Monaco.

"I have signed nothing," the 24-year-old German insisted.

As for why he was the only missing team member when Red Bull celebrated Mark Webber’s Monaco victory by leaping into Red Bull’s harbour pool, Vettel answered: "I didn’t want a swim.

"And I didn’t have any spare clothes," he smiled wryly.

Vettel finished fourth, losing his championship lead to Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.