Valtteri Bottas says he has been told by Mercedes i🍌t has ruled out signing Sebastian Vettel for the 2021 Formula 1 season.

Speculation has been rife about Vettel’s future since Ferrari announced last month that the four-time world champion would ⛦be leaving the team when his current deal expires at the end of the year, with Ferrari signing McLaren’s Carlos Sainz to replace the German.

Vettel has since been linked with Mercedes and team boss Toto Wolff last week admitted the German manufacturer is “monitoring” Vettel’s situation amid suggestions he could 𝄹partner Lewis Hamilton from next season.

Bottas has sinceꩲ claimed that Mercedes has informe💙d him the team is “not considering” a move for Vettel.

Asked about the speculation in an interview with Sky Sports F1, Bottas said: “No, it doesꦺn't get to you.

"We've been very honest also with my team all the time, what's the situation, and h꧅ow it's go♓ing to be contract-wise.

"I got a pretty straight message that no, they are not considering Seb, so I said fi𓃲💃ne, no worries then.”

Bottas has faced similar uncertainty over his future with Mercedes across the past three seasons. Mercedes has waited unဣtil a🐠t least July to announce Bottas’ previous three contract renewals, with last year’s confirmation not coming until August 29.

The Finn stressed at ⛎the beginning of the year that he wanted to have his contract finalised at an earlier stage this season to avoid the “distraction” of speculation which he said prevented him from performing at his best.

Bottas said he has been laughing off the rumours of drivers replacing him at Mercedes for 2021 before a wheꦕel has even been turned in anger this season.

"It's the same as every year for me,” Bottas eꦛxplained. 🐠“It’s no different in any way than any other season for me.

"There are always talks, and the situation has been the same for𝓰 ♌me.

"I find it quiteꦫ funny with not even a single race done, there's been people getting my seat. It made me laugh a couple of times.

"There's no pressure from that side, because I still have myꦑ clear goal for the season i꧙n my mind, and that's it.

"Things will then sort themselves, one way or another, whate🍨ver is going to happen. I have no stress about that 🌳at all.”

Six-time world champion Hamilton, who is also out of contract at the year, is widely expected to sign a new deal, with Mercedes hoping for a swift resolution to contract talks once the season restar🉐ts.

Mercedes also has the option of promoting itᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚs junior George Russell from Williams after his impressive start to his F1 career, while Renault’s Esteban Ocon remains on the team’s books.