Sebastian Vettel comments on his F1 future and Fernando Alonso title claims. Speculation is growing over the future of Formula 1's two most high-profile drivers.

Scuderia Ferrari German driver Sebastian Vettel offered a curt response when asked about Fernando Alonso in a newspaper interview today. Both former world champions are expected to challenge for the F1 title next season, as Sebastian Vettel came second in the 2017 Drivers’ Championship, behind winner Lewis Hamilton, while Fernando Alonso was way off the pace, but is expected to improve next year when McLaren swap their Honda engine for Renault.

However, the German driver was in no mood to speculate over the Spaniard’s potential success in the new car. Asked by Spanish newspaper AS if Alonso can challenge for the title, Sebastian replied: “I do not care.” It was a curt response from the four-time world champion, whose Ferrari is also expected to improve next year. The four time Formula One world champion was at one stage leading Lewis Hamilton by 14 points in the Drivers’ Championship battle, but the Mercedes driver hit back after the summer break to claim the trophy. Quizzed on what was the most annoying question he has been asked recently, Sebastian Vettel said: “Why did I not get the title? Why did not I become a world champion again? That implies that you could have done something about it. If the same question arises again and again, it can be annoying.”

At the same time, speculation is growing over the future of Formula 1’s two most high-profile drivers. Lewis Hamilton, 32, has just a year left on his Mercedes contract and has admitted he is starting to think about life after the sport, while Sebastian Vettel, 30, has assured Scuderia Ferrari fans he is not done in F1 yet: There is no concrete answer.” he told Spanish newspaper AS – “The moment in which I no longer have fun (is when I will leave). That’s because there are many drivers who would still be having fun and would need a seat.” – Sebastian Vettel said.

Discussing his retirement this week, Lewis Hamilton explained: “What I do know when the day does come that I stop, it is going to be the saddest day ever. It will be positive but it’s also going to be sad because to drive the Mercedes, I wish people could feel what I feel.

Next Formula One season will introduce the halo to cars in order to improve driver safety, as the design has been criticised by fans but Sebastian Vettel insists the look is a necessary evil: “If you can save a life with it, then it is necessary. If you can avoid an injury to the driver, it is justified. It is not very aesthetic, but we will get used to it.” – Scuderia Ferrari‘s German driver concluded, as reported by the Spanish media earlier today.