Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff had an amusing response after he and Daimler CFO Bodo Uebber were pictured with Sebastian Vettel having conversations at the ski resort of Kitzbuhel.

Last year there were murmurings the four-time world champion could be considering a move to the German manufacturer as he was in the final year of his contract at Ferrari. His future, at least through 2020, was confirmed, however, with a new three-year deal at the Scuderia announced in August.

Nevertheless, with Lewis Hamilton out of contract at the end of this year - though expected to sign a new deal - and Valtteri Bottas currently renewing season-by-season, the Austrian admitted being seen with Vettel will likely raise suspicion.

"Now everyone will write 'Vettel to Mercedes'!" he joked talking to the Kolner Express about the meeting.

Wolff would clarify the situation which led to the two men being together, adding: "We are neighbours in Switzerland and friends and we just speak normally."

Other high-profile names also spotted at the World Cup skiing event held in Austria included Mercedes non-executive chairman and triple F1 champion Niki Lauda, Bernie Ecclestone and former McLaren and Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger.