Recent news of Lewis Hamilton's meeting with Ferrari chairman John Elkann set the rumour mill alight, with speculation the six-time Formula 1 World Champion could be lining up a move to Ferrari for 2021, once his Mercedes contract has expired.
But during a media lunch at Maranello, Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri revealed the news had been "blown out of proportion" and that it was a social event, rather than an official meeting.
"Obviously, it was a social event, which has sort of been blown somewhat out of proportion, but it was a social event," Camilleri is quoted as saying by F1.com. "They have some common friends."
Camilleri confirmed that whilst Leclerc holds a 'long-term' agreement with the team, Vettel's contract expires next season and they would first need to understand the German's intentions for the future before considering their 2021 line-up.
“The fact is we have a long-term agreement with one driver and with the other driver the agreement expires at the end of 2020,” he added.
“We clearly are very flattered that Lewis in particular, and other drivers want to come and join us, but it would be premature to decide anything today. It would be premature to decide anything now for the future.
"As I often said this season, I feel more lucky in having such a line-up. I think that with Seb we need to sit down to discuss…to understand his intentions for the future.
"So, it’s [his future at Ferrari] not about his mistakes, it’s really a matter of how does he see himself as far as his future and how we do see our line-up."
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