Sebastian Vettel has responded to recent conjecture over his long-term Formula 1 future by saying "we'll see what happens", with the German's lucrative deal with Ferrari set to come to an end at the end of the current racing calendar.
Speculation that the four-time World Champion would walk away from the sport ramped up during the week, when Bernie Ecclestone suggested the 31-year-old would put his family before any remaining F1 ambitions.
"He won't change teams, he will end his career there [Ferrari]", said the sport's former chief executive, before adding that "not much is needed for that to happen".
Vettel, who will start tomorrow's Chinese Grand Prix from the second row of the grid after the Mercedes pair of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton, outpaced the Prancing Horse of the German and teammate Charles Leclerc for the second time in three qualifying sessions, refused to commit his long-term future to the Italian manufacturer when quizzed after securing third position for tomorrow's race.
I don't know at the moment.
I am not going to be in Formula One as long as Bernie was that's for sure. But I hope I am going to be as fit and sharp as he is today when I am 88.
I feel on top of my game. I am very self-critical and very ambitious. I put a lot of expectation on myself.
I love driving, I love the sensation of speed, and I love fighting these guys.
There are a lot of things I like at the moment and things I would miss, so that is why it is not an option to quit tomorrow. But the contract is just a piece of paper. We will see what happens.
Vettel's eye-watering contract with the Maranello based outfit is said to be in the region of €42 million a year.
