SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium: Australian Mark Webber indicated yesterday that compatriot Daniel Ricciardo would replace him at Formula One champions Red Bull next season, but the team played down his comments.
“The decision’s made. We all know who it is. I’m happy with that decision. It’s good for him and good for Australia,” Webber told Australia’s Channel 10 television at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Ricciardo, the only other Australian in F1, is already under contract with Red Bull as a driver with their sister team Toro Rosso but told reporters yesterday he had yet to hear anything from the champions.
Asked about Webber’s words, Red Bull principal Christian Horner told reporters nothing had been decided and an announcement would probably not come until after the Italian Grand Prix on September 8.
“There’s plenty of speculation about, but nothing has been signed yet,” he said.
“Comments get taken out of context sometimes. Mark obviously isn’t privy to all the discussions with drivers. When there’s something to announce, we’ll announce it.”
Webber, who finished fifth in the race won by triple champion team mate Sebastian Vettel, is leaving Formula One at the end of the season for a future in Le Mans sportscar racing with Porsche.
Lotus’s Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso have both been linked to Red Bull in paddock speculation. REUTER
