Hamilton would accept Vettel pairing

The former world champion's current deal with McLaren runs until the end of 2012 and there has been a renewed focus on his future plans following the announcement of his management deal with Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment company.

And although Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner poured cold water on the possibility of slotting in Hamilton alongside Vettel in the future - the British driver is more sure about the situation.

"It can work," Hamilton told the British media. "You saw me and Fernando [Alonso]; we were very competitive. You see me and Jenson [Button], so world champions can definitely race together as long as there is equality in the team.

"There is definitely not that at a couple of the teams around us. At my team you will probably see the most equality out of all the teams."

When asked about Horner's comments doubting a Vettel/Hamilton partnership could work, Hamilton reckoned that the team principal was simply being defensive of his current driver.

"The only reason I would imagine that he [Horner] would suggest that is because certain individuals don't like being beaten," said Hamilton. "Some individuals can take it. Some people are better losers or better winners. So it is just dependant.

"In this team, when Jenson beats me I take it on the chin and think, 'Next time I am going to beat him.' When I beat him, he doesn't whinge and say: 'Oh, Lewis has a better car than me or Lewis did this and I did that.' There is none of that here, it is very equal.

"In some places you can imagine it could be different. I never have any complaints. If a guy beats me it is because he has done a better job."