Tongues were wagging at Hockenheim last night after Lewis Hamilton's father, Anthony, who is also his manager, was spotted having what they thought was a discreet conversation with the team principal of Ferrari.

Anthony Hamilton approached Stefano Domenicali as the Ferrari official was leaving a party hosted by Mercedes at the Hockenheim circuit, near Heidelberg, before this weekend's German Grand Prix. The pair left the party together before stopping some distance from the main throng for a brief chat, after which Anthony returned to the gathering.

The episode, which was photographed by The Times and published on the Times Formula One weblog, comes amid rumours, which have been strenuously denied by McLaren Mercedes, that Lewis and his father may not be entirely happy with some aspects of the team and the way they are managed. It will increase speculation that Hamilton may eventually move to Ferrari.

However, a move of that kind is unlikely in the immediate future, given that Hamilton is only halfway through the first year of a new five-year contract with McLaren that is earning him a total of £75million. The 23-year-old, who is joint leader of the World Championship going into Sunday's race, has also made it clear that he wants, if possible, to see out his career in Formula One with McLaren.

Nevertheless, there are few in Formula One who do not believe that Hamilton will be approached by Ferrari at some point, if it has not already happened, and that he will end up driving for the Maranello team.

Red Bull Racing confirmed yesterday that Sebastian Vettel, the 21-year-old German driver, is to partner Mark Webber next season, filling the seat that will be vacated by David Coulthard when the Scot retires at the end of this season.