Raikkonen, not Button, a Red Bull 'option' - Horner
The ongoing question of whom will get the Red Bull seat in 2014 if Webber leaves.
Jun.27 (GMM) Amid reports Mark Webber is nearing a new deal for 2014, Red Bull has admitted it still regards Kimi Raikkonen as "an option" to become Sebastian Vettel's next teammate.
Although earlier it was believed 2007 world champion Raikkonen as well as Toro Rosso's current drivers were in the running, it is reported this week that 36-year-old Webber in fact has team owner Dietrich Mateschitz's backing for an eighth consecutive season at Red Bull.
But team boss Horner told British reporters on Wednesday: "Kimi would have to be an option, if he were to be available."
Horner added: "We're in the fortunate position that there are an awful lot of people who would like to drive a Red Bull Racing car."
He said it is possible Webber will decide to leave Formula One at the end of his 2013 deal.
"We've agreed year-on-year deals with him as we did with David Coulthard at a similar stage in his career," said Horner.
"Before making any decision it's important to understand what his (Webber's) intentions are.
"The pairing we have has been tremendously successful. From our perspective we will only change for something better than we currently have," added Horner.
Horner said Jenson Button, who is just tenth in the drivers' championship this year at the wheel of McLaren's uncompetitive car, is not an option.
"Jenson's a class act, as a team player, a human being, a driver," he said.
"He's not on our radar because he's not available. He's married to the team that he's driving for."
Share Or Save This Story
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
The one detail that impresses Red Bull most about Isack Hadjar's "outstanding" F1 return
Who slept best last night: Laurent Mekies
Baku late-race chaos almost costs George Russell victory over Max Verstappen
George Russell after rejuvenating Baku win: "It would have been very easy for me to lose the faith"
"Everything that could go wrong went wrong" for Ferrari in Fuji WEC
Wins v. big picture dominate Truck Series Chase discourse after Kansas
Jorge Martin “made us feel wanted” amid current MotoGP struggles, says Yamaha boss
Why Mercedes is still quicker than McLaren
Baku late-race chaos almost costs George Russell victory over Max Verstappen
How George Russell claimed his career-best pole margin in F1 Azerbaijan GP qualifying
How the chase to catch Mercedes is unfolding
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments