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Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel rules out move to Mercedes to replace Nico Rosberg

The four-time world champion plans to honour his contract for next year despite the team failing to win a race in 2016

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Sebastian Vettel is staying at Ferrari next year. Photo: EPA

Sebastian Vettel has made clear his future is with Ferrari as Mercedes look to replace newly-retired Formula One world champion Nico Rosberg for next season.

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Ferrari – the oldest, most glamorous and successful team in the sport – failed to win a race this year and Vettel’s name has been one of those mentioned in media speculation following Rosberg’s surprise decision to walk away.

Rosberg, 31 and only the third German driver after Michael Schumacher and Vettel to win the championship, announced his retirement on Friday.

“I think it’s not a big secret that both myself and Kimi [Raikkonen] have a contract for next year,” four-time world champion Vettel said.

“So it should be clear.

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Nico Rosberg (left) and Sebastian Vettel celebrate after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Photo: EPA
Nico Rosberg (left) and Sebastian Vettel celebrate after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Photo: EPA

“I don’t know what is their plan,” he said of Mercedes. “But for us we look after ourselves for next year, there’s lots of things changing so we’re quite busy ourselves. We’re very positive for next year.”

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