Maurizio Arrivabene plays down Sebastian Vettel, James Allison rumours

Ferrari Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene speaks with members of his team in the paddock after final practice for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit on April 18, 2015
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Maurizio Arrivabene breaks his silence to play down speculation that Ferrari could be about to lose Sebastian Vettel and James Allison.

Maurizio Arrivabene has broken his silence to play down speculation that Ferrari could be about to lose Sebastian Vettel and James Allison.

Team boss Arrivabene had a low-profile Hungarian Grand Prix, refusing to speak to the English-speaking media amid reports that the Maranello team are in crisis.

One rumour was sparked by Red Bull boss Christian Horner, who said that he sensed Vettel might soon want to switch to Mercedes.

"Sebastian never said once that he doesn't like the atmosphere in Ferrari," Italian reporters quoted Arrivabene as saying in Budapest.

"On the contrary, he has said numerous times that he is very comfortable in the team.

"A couple of months ago, journalists began to ask Kimi [Raikkonen] the same question, and after him it was my turn, that [James] Allison would soon take my place.

"Now that we confirm the contract with Kimi the press is saying that Allison is leaving! You know what? Please, let us work in peace," he added.

Arrivabene denied that morale at Ferrari is low.

"That's not true," the Italian insisted. "This is a strong and united team. This supposedly low morale is all just stories to try to make us have low morale, but we never give up - never, never, never."

Ferrari lead third-placed Red Bull by just one point following Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Ferrari looks on as he sits in the garage during final practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on September 5, 2015
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