Sebastian Vettel is confident the ongoing row over Ferrari’s🌃 2019 power unit will not impact on the respect between himself and Formula 1 rival Lewis Hamiꦛlton.

Aside from fears relating to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the eve of the 2020 F1 season has been dominatedও by controversy surrounding an investigation into Ferrari’s 2019 power unit.

Aftꦑer announcing it had reached a settlement with Ferrari over the matter as pre-season testing came to an end, the FIA explained “it was not fully satisfied” that the Italian team had fully complied with the regulations when operating its engine, but felt it did not have sufficient evidence to prove ඣits case.

The settlement was met by an angry response from the seven non Ferr✱ari-powered teams, with Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren, Renault, AlphaTauri, Racing Point and Williams all releasing a joint statement demanding “transparency” and “full disclosure” regarding the investigation.

When quizzed about the subject during the FIA drivers press conference on Thursday, Vettel saജi๊d: “As far as I understand it was cleared, I think for me it’s very simple.

“I trust my team to do the right things within the regulations at all times. I think all of us trust the governing body to do their job for all teams on the g𝄹rid. There’s not much else to add.

“If you have a fu♐rther detailed question then I am not theꩲ one to answer because it’s quite complex now, so probably not the best problem to give you insight.

“But for me it doesn’t change anything in terms o𝐆f the the relationship I have with other drivers and particularly with Lewis,” he added.

“I think the respect that we share and has grown over the years is untouched a🎉nd I don’t think this is a threat [to it].”

While 🌳Hamilton believes the situation could have been “handled better”, he insisted what goes on behind the scenes between teams should not affect the drivers.

"Betwꦅeen us the respect has grown over the years and I don’t think that will change,” he explained.

“What goes on in the background beﷺtween teams and the governing body I think is a separate issue.

“I thin🦩k it could have been handled better for sure but again that’s really something that should be directed to Toto [Wolff].

“As athletes you want to know that you are playing on fair grou🐬nds. That’s the approach that we have.”