Hamilton is already a Ferrari driver - Vettel

Sebastian Vettel pointed out Lewis Hamilton's experience behind he wheel of a Ferrari, as speculation continues to swirl over the Mercedes man defecting to the Scuderia.

Hamilton's season-ending Abu Dhabi GP win was played out to the backdrop of links between him and Ferrari, kick-started by Mattia Binotto saying he was "happy" to see the six-time world champion available to hire in 2021.

Toto Wolff said he would not prevent Hamilton from seeking a Ferrari move, while the Briton did not deny reports that he has met with Scuderia president John Elkann.

Vettel would likely be the man to move aside if Hamilton did join, as his contract also expires in 2020, but the German did not seem perturbed.

"I think he's already a Ferrari driver. No? So no change," Vettel joked. "I think he's a good customer. He owns more than one."

Vettel has also been linked with retirement after a disappointing 2019 which has seen him finish behind a team-mate in the standings for just the second time in his career, but he was again glib when that suggestion was put to him.

"I was already doing holiday next year, I heard before I'm stopping," Vettel said.

"I don't know who was the one [to start the speculation], seems to know more than me, but since you journalists are always right, then it will hit me in the next weeks.

"I've had a couple of mistakes that I shouldn't make. I have to be honest, obviously in terms of approach, maybe small things I can do.

"Less interviews will help! It's all part of the negotiations for next year before any other negotiations."

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