Vettel claims he was joking about Ferrari switch

Sebastian Vettel

(GMM) Sebastian Vettel claims he was joking when he mused recently about desperately wanting to switch to Ferrari.

The reigning world champion triggered international headlines when he joked that he would pay Fernando Alonso to go on holiday for a whole year if he could secure the Spaniard's seat at the famous Maranello based team.

Asked about those comments by Germany's Auto Bild, he explained: "I was asked what I would do if for some reason I couldn't drive for Red Bull.

"So I said I would send either Fernando or Felipe on a great holiday so they could leave me their car.

"I said it because Ferrari will have a very strong car this season," the German explained, "so it would certainly be my first choice.

"But probably not everyone completely understands my sense of humor," he said.

Vettel, 23, said the most important factor when a top driver is picking a formula one team is performance, "and right now I feel very comfortable with Red Bull", he insisted.

"Sure," he continued, "Ferrari and Mercedes are brands with tradition which could be very stimulating to be part of their stories, but the performance of the car is always the focus."