Mercedes Formula 1 non-executive chairman Niki Lauda has confirmed that talks were held with Ferrari's S﷽ebastianཧ Vettel over a 2018 race seat, but ended "a couple of months ago".

Ferrari announced on Saturday morning that Vettel had signed a ne💯w three-year contract, taking him to the end of the 2020 season at Maranello.

Vettel had been linked with a move to Mercedes for 2018 while he was a free agent, with the defending champion team having a s🍎eat available alongside Lewis Hamilto🤪n.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Lauda revealed that talks had taken place between Mercedes and Ferrari, but broke down as Vettel found his car to become more and more competitive🤡 in his bid for a fifth F1 world title.

“We discussed brie🥀fly once with him, but the more the competitive the Ferrari goes the less the reason he would to leave,” Lauda said.

“So therefore we ♔stopped it right away, a couple of months ago.

"Every driver if he is clever talks to more one team so that when he negotiates he is in a better position. I think that is what♛ he did."

Mercedes is still to confirm its line-up for 2018, but Valtteri Bottas is expected to receive a contract ⛦extension after an impressive start to life with the German manufact♏urer.