Sebastian Vettel did his best on Thursday to minimise any negative influence he may have had on Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber’s decision to quit Formula One.

The 25-year-old German said he did not believe his disobeying team orders to “steal” victory from the 36-year-old Australian at the Malaysian Grand Prix in March was a factor.

He said: “I think we’ve probably had enough talks about Malaysia. I think both of us were not happy with what happened but I don’t think that these sorts of things change the world from today until tomorrow.

“I think equally we had different opinions three years ago in Turkey [where they collided] and we had a successful time after that.”

The defending triple world champion added that he felt he had a better relationship with Webber than reported.

“I have enormous respect for him on the track as a driver,” Vettel insisted.

“I think off track, a lot of it has been hyped more than it should have because there hasn’t been that much going on.

“As a fact we are not best friends and probably never will be. That was reason enough for you [the media] to get excited in the past but it is not a reason for us to try and change it all costs.”

He added that it will feel odd to have a new team-mate next year.

“I would not say you are afraid, but it is unknown. Surely whoever comes in is new to the team in a way, so it will be difficult to know what to expect.”

He said he had a good relationship with Finn Kimi Raikkonen the popular early favourite to succeed Webber.

“Yes,” he said. “I’m sure he will answer in the same way with less words, but I think we get along.”