'Now everyone will write: Vettel to Mercedes'

Cape Town - Toto Wolff is expecting the headlines to come through thick and fast after running into Sebastian Vettel at an event on the Austrian slopes: "Vettel to Mercedes".

The two met up during the off-season at the skiing world cup and were photographed together along with Daimler CFO Bodo Uebber.

Wolff says he can predict what the headlines will read.

He told the Köln Express newspaper: "Now everyone will write 'Vettel to Mercedes'!"

The Mercedes motorsport boss was quick to clarify the situation.

"We are neighbours in Switzerland and friends and we just speak normally," he said.

It is not the first time that Vettel, who has been linked to Mercedes but more through rumours than facts, and Wolff have socialised publicly with the Austrian attending Vettel's birthday party last season.

Sebastian Vettel with Toto Wolff, last weekend in Austria ??

?? ATP pic.twitter.com/GfCgDVuJDX

— Sebastian Vettel #5 (@sebvettelnews) January 22, 2018