Aston Martin reject Vettel friction rumours as “100% nonsense”

The four-time world champion has a contractual option to continue with the team in 2022 and Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll has said Vettel’s future will be announced “imminently”.

Vettel has had a mixed first season at Aston Martin following his winter switch from Ferrari but highlights have included a second-place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He also took second in Hungary before being disqualified for a fuel-related infringement.

Despite Vettel signing what was described by Aston Martin as a “multi-year deal” last September, rumours have swirled about the 34-year-old’s future.

“Absolute 100% nonsense,” said Szafnauer of speculation of issues arising between the team and Vettel.

“We don’t have a Plan B, he doesn’t have a Plan B. There is absolutely zero friction.

“Ask him and I’m confident he will say he absolutely loves it here. It’s just a matter of working out some of the details.

“It was a multi-year deal but there are options on both sides. And when you have options on both sides there’s some details you negotiate up to the deadline of your time window and it’s exactly what’s happening now.

“We’re just having detailed discussions leading up to the point where the option expires. So I think before that happens, we’ll announce something.”

Aston Martin and Haas are the only two teams yet to formally confirm their driver line-ups for 2022, while there is a seat up for grabs at Alfa Romeo alongside Valtteri Bottas.

But Aston Martin have repeatedly insisted that Vettel will continue with the team for a second season alongside Lance Stroll.

“He’s a fantastic individual, works extremely hard, is very experienced and is just a genuinely nice person,” Szafnauer added.

“We like him he likes us. We’re now in the detailed discussions of going forward and with the next week to 10 days we’ll be able to announce him."