Sky Sports Channel Logo
  • F1

  • Drivers

Lewis Hamilton News

News

  • News
  • Results
  • Previous Seasons
More from F1
  • F1 Home
  • Drivers

Niki Lauda gives short shrift to speculation Mercedes eyeing Sebastian Vettel

Austrian also not expecting any long-term fallout from Hungarian GP

By James Galloway

Last Updated: 08/08/14 10:20am

Niki Lauda and Lewis Hamilton
Niki Lauda and Lewis Hamilton

Niki Lauda has described as “absolute rubbish” reports that Mercedes are considering a move for Sebastian Vettel at Lewis Hamilton’s expense for the 2016 season.

Both Hamilton and Red Bull’s Vettel, whose contracts with their respective teams are currently both due to expire at the end of 2015, were put on the spot at last weekend’s Hungarian GP about speculative reports in the German press which suggested that Mercedes were looking to prise the World Champion from their rivals to form an all-German line-up alongside Nico Rosberg, who recently agreed a new multi-year deal.

Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko was quoted as saying that Mercedes, along with McLaren, had made an offer to his driver, although Vettel himself played down such claims.  

Anna Woolhouse is joined by McLaren Test Driver Gary Paffett and former Secretary General of FOTA, Oliver Weingarten to discuss Hungary and the 2014 season

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Anna Woolhouse is joined by McLaren Test Driver Gary Paffett and former Secretary General of FOTA, Oliver Weingarten to discuss Hungary and the 2014 season
Anna Woolhouse is joined by McLaren Test Driver Gary Paffett and former Secretary General of FOTA, Oliver Weingarten to discuss Hungary and the 2014 season

Hamilton, meanwhile, said that both he and Mercedes’ management had already indicated to each other that they wanted to extend their relationship – a position Lauda, the team’s non-executive chairman, has since confirmed.

“We are already in touch with him to renew his contract,” the Austrian said.

“All the speculation of bull**** Marko is absolute rubbish.”

In addition to wild speculation about their future driver line-up, Mercedes have also had to contend with conspiracy theories from some fans that they are favouring Rosberg’s title challenge with Hamilton having experienced more unreliability from the all-conquering W05 so far this year.

“I hate this discussion because both guys from day one have the same cars, everything is equal,” Lauda insisted.

“There have been eight Mercedes engines here [on the grid in Hungary] and Lewis’s failed. So it’s not a question between Nico and Lewis – eight engines and one failed and unfortunately it was Lewis’s.

Coming soon to the UK

“These things should not fail, we’re going to fix them, but there’s nothing here [untoward]. We want both to have the same material and they can race each other the way they want.”

Lauda, a three-times World Champion, also predicted that there would be no lingering fallout from race day at the Hungaroring when Hamilton decided not to heed a team instruction to let Rosberg past him as their divergent tyre strategies crossed paths.

“I’ve been very happy, nobody had any problems,” the Austrian added. “I have to see if there are some but I doubt it because everyone goes on holiday anyway and drivers forget quickly. After holiday they start completely normal again.”

Trending

  • 1
    Transfer Centre LIVE! Ten Hag describes Ronaldo as 'a giant'
  • 2
    Klopp: Man City won't drop points | Fans wouldn't boo without reason
  • 3
    Ten Hag discussing Man Utd summer plans | 'A lot of work to be done'
  • 4
    Ref Watch: Did Everton deserve another penalty for Richarlison shirt pull?
  • 5
    Papers: Arsenal's £68m spree on Jesus, Hickey and Marquinhos
  • 6
    Liverpool or Man Utd: who leads the major honours list?
  • 7
    What must Ten Hag solve at Man Utd?
  • 8
    Pogba at Man Utd: Mismanaged or a mistake?
  • 9
    Elneny: No top-four worries, it's in our hands
  • 10
    Pep's message to Southampton: Beat Liverpool 4-0!
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Sky Zero
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

Sky Sports Channel Logo ©2022 Sky UK