Red Bull boss wants Webber stay
Thursday 14th July 2011
Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz is in no doubt that Mark Webber will remain with the team for next season.
The Australian has yet to sign a new contract for 2012 and speculation about his future increased in the wake of Sunday's British Grand Prix, during which Webber ignored repeated instructions to maintain a gap to team-mate Sebastian Vettel.
Team principal Christian Horner said after the race that he would hold talks with Webber to discuss the matter. He had already insisted that no contract talks would occur until later this summer.
However, energy drinks billionaire Mateschitz has told Autosport: "Mark Webber will re-sign with us.
"This will happen for sure. He is very popular within the team, he feels very comfortable and it is an excellent relationship. He knows this and we know it.
"To be honest, Mark has no better choice than the fastest car, and we have no better choice for a fast driver."
Mateschitz's comments came after his F1 advisor, Helmut Marko, had rubbished claims that former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will be handed the seat.
Raikkonen stepped away from F1 at the end of 2009 to concentrate on the World Rally Championship, but has been consistently linked with a return.
But Marko said: "Kimi Raikkonen is and will be an issue for us, this is definite.
"He will not drive at Red Bull. The rumours are far-fetched and total nonsense."
Speaking to German news website TZ, Marko added: "We have our juniors, one of which will replace Mark Webber at Red Bull when he's ready."
Marko's comments also further endorsed Horner's remarks last week that Lewis Hamilton would not be joining the team.
Instead, Red Bull will seemingly turn to either Jaime Alguersuari or Sebastien Buemi at Toro Rosso, both in their second full season with the team.
Also on the radar is Daniel Ricciardo, who made his debut on Sunday with Hispania Racing after being loaned out for the remainder of the season by Toro Rosso, where he was test and reserve driver.
Credit: ESPN STAR (www.espnstar.com)
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