Niki Lauda plays down Nico Rosberg-Ferrari rumours

Niki Lauda has played down rumours that Nico Rosberg might be contemplating a switch to Ferrari for 2017.

After the Spanish Grand Prix, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera claimed that Rosberg was "flirting with Ferrari" as his current Mercedes contract expires.

"As long as he is not flirting with me," Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, who has made clear he would prefer Kimi Raikkonen to stay, joked last week in Barcelona.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, however, thinks the fact that there is speculation about Ferrari's interest in Rosberg should be no surprise.

"From their view, it would make sense," he is quoted as saying by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

However, Mercedes team chairman Lauda insisted: "We have everything under control.

"Why would Rosberg go to Ferrari when Vettel has been there already for two years and knows everything about the team? In that case he would always be second."

The season continues with the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.