Vettel plays down suggestions of rift with Ferrari

Sebastian Vettel has urged those outside Ferrari not to jump to conclusions about his relationship with the team based on his recent pit-to-car radio messages.

Ferrari has already decided to replace Vettel with Carlos Sainz in 2021 and a string of underwhelming performances this season has led to apparent tensions between team and driver.

At the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone, Vettel questioned Ferrari's race strategy over team radio, telling his engineer "you've messed up". Just one week later at the Spanish Grand Prix he chastised the team again when there was a misunderstanding over whether he would attempt a one-stop strategy or a two-stop.

A one-stop, which is ultimately what…