Vettel-to-Ferrari rumours ’nothing’ - Montezemolo

Luca di Montezemolo has insisted there is "absolutely nothing" to rumours about Sebastian Vettel becoming Ferrari’s next driver.

Insiders had interpreted recent comments by the pair as reciprocal flirtations about a joint future.

But as Ferrari’s new F150 car was launched at Maranello and successfully debuted by Fernando Alonso at Fiorano, president Montezemolo on Friday played down suggestions reigning world champion Vettel could soon switch from Red Bull to the famous Italian team.

"I hope that the next Ferrari driver will come from the Ferrari driver academy, because that would mean that he’s a top star," he said.

The cream of Ferrari’s academy is 21-year-old Frenchman Jules Bianchi, who has been signed as a test driver for 2011.

As for Vettel, Montezemolo said: "There is absolutely nothing going on, apart from the congratulations for a wonderful season and the fact that he knew how to benefit from the last race in Abu Dhabi."