autosport.com
Search:
Find out more about our subscriptions
  AUTOSPORT+ LOGIN AUTOSPORT Plus  
Username:
Password:
F1 NEWS 

Red Bull in no rush to sort Webber's future after Monaco Grand Prix victory

Mark Webber, Red Bull RacingRed Bull insists it is in no rush to sort out a fresh contract with Mark Webber for 2013, despite his Monaco Grand Prix victory coming amid speculation that he is a key target for Ferrari.

Webber became the sixth different winner this season as he held off race-long pressure from Nico Rosberg around the streets of the principality.

But despite his form, and ongoing suggestions that Ferrari is interested in the Australian as a replacement for Felipe Massa, Red Bull says it will not change its plans to sort out a contract over the summer.

Webber has been on a rolling one-year deal for several seasons now, with the contract having usually been sorted out later in the campaign.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: "Mark has had a great day in Monaco. He is driving really well. He is in great shape and you can see on a day like this that he is absolutely on top of his game.

"We have a very open and straightforward relationship with Mark and [the Monaco win] certainly does not change that. It is the same situation that we have had the last couple of years. Let's focus on now and the future will take care of itself."

When asked about whether he expected Red Bull to face a fight to keep hold of Webber amid the lure of a possible Ferrari chance, Horner said: "Why would he want to leave? I think he is a comfortable in the team.

"The team knows Mark very well and Mark knows the team very well. We are only at race six, and obviously a lot depends on his desire and motivation which, at the moment, looks very clear. He is doing a great job and we are really happy with him, and he really deserved this result."

If Webber moves to Ferrari it means there will be a vacancy at Red Bull, which has again prompted speculation that Lewis Hamilton could be a target.

The Briton is currently evaluating his options - with Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes all possibilities if he does not agree terms for an extension at McLaren.

There was speculation over the Monaco Grand Prix that Sebastian Vettel could even be a serious target for Ferrari - with sources suggesting that he had agreed an option with the Maranello-based team for 2014.

However, senior sources at Red Bull insist that Vettel will remain at his current outfit at least until the end of that season as he is under a firm contract until the start of 2015. He has longer-term options at the team too.

Subs
 Earlier F1 story More news Next F1 story 
    advertisement
  RELATED LINKS
Read the AUTOSPORT Digital Edition
Visit the autosport.com shop
See highlights from 60 years of AUTOSPORT
  FOLLOW AUTOSPORT ON
FOLLOW AUTOSPORT ON TWITTER
Paddock insight from group F1 editor Jonathan Noble
Grand Prix news updates from F1 editor Edd Straw
Breaking news feed
Live commentary feed
  RELATED STORIES
Webber: Results will decide 2013 plans
Rallycross
Haymarket