Hamilton thinks Vettel and Alonso have number one clause

Lewis Hamilton has denied ever asking for number one status at the Formula 1 teams he has driven for, namely McLaren and Mercedes, but presumes that both Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso do have such a stipulation in their contract.

With the world champion's new Mercedes contract now repeatedly delayed, boss Toto Wolff on Thursday denied a sticking point is that Hamilton has asked for preferential status over Nico Rosberg.

Hamilton, concurs and was adamant, "I have never asked to be number one in a contract. "Vettel may have that clause or Alonso, who always asks for it.

"But I want to beat the guy at my side on equal terms. I know many people in the paddock would be happy with it (number 1 status), but it is not for me," added Hamilton.

Also in Bahrain, however, Alonso denied his 2007 McLaren teammate's claims, "The press always says that I ask to be treated as the first driver, but it's not true.

"Just now in China, Jenson (Button) ran with a diffuser that I did not have, because there was only one," added Alonso, referring to his current McLaren teammate.