Lewis Hamilton showed little interest in rumours linking Charles Leclerc with his Mercedes seat as he insisted his Formula 1 future will remain in his own hands.
The Brit is only contracted until the end of this season, when he will be a few weeks shy of his 39th birthday. An extension appeared to be little more than a formality just a few months ago but, amid Mercedes' performance struggles, talks have been put on hold again.
Hamilton could choose to walk away from the sport. Or, if the allure of an eighth world title proves too difficult to resist, he might be tempted to switch teams and join one that is better placed to challenge for silverware than the Silver Arrows are at the moment.
Mercedes will need a long-term replacement for the seven-time world champion whenever he chooses to walk away. Leclerc's own short-running deal and Ferrari's problems have seen him anointed as Hamilton's potential successor.
It was claimed last week that it is an "open secret" that Leclerc has been speaking with Mercedes. But the Monegasque has denied this and insisted he is "fully focussed" on his work with Ferrari right now.
And Hamilton was similarly dismissive of the speculation. Asked if it has any influence on his future with the team or in the sport, he simply replied: "Not really. Maybe all the drivers have relationships with different bosses.
"I like where I am. I love my team. I am grateful for the journey that we've been on, and what we're working on moving forwards. 'It doesn't have any impact, no."
Meanwhile, Leclerc insisted there is "really zero" truth in the claim that he has been speaking with Mercedes about his future. "You all smile because you don't believe me, but I promise," he added.
"For now, I am fully focused on the project I am in today, which is Ferrari, and I fully trust and am confident for the future. Then we will see, but I am fully confident for the project of Ferrari."
