Red Bull to decide driver lineup 'in August' - Marko
Photo by: XPB Images
July 10 (GMM) Red Bull plans 'in August' to decide the lineup of drivers for 2013, as team consultant Dr Helmut Marko revealed.
Without a contract for next season, Monaco and Silverstone winner Mark Webber is now Fernando Alonso’s closest challenger for the 2012 title and rumoured to be considering teaming up alongside the Spaniard in 2013.
Asked to contemplate sharing the famous Italian team with Webber, Alonso said on Sunday: "I don't know. I think it's just imaginary pictures."
The speculation, however, is real, as 35-year-old Webber indicated that, after the British Grand Prix, he has a choice to make.
"I'm not far off my decision," he is quoted by Melbourne newspaper The Age. "I've had discussions with people close to me and we had more discussions over the weekend, so getting closer."
But while there has been total silence on the Webber issue from boss Stefano Domenicali, Red Bull chiefs have made it clear they would like to keep the tall Australian alongside Sebastian Vettel in 2013.
Marko said the matter will get his full attention in F1’s summer break.
“In August we will resolve the 2013 driver issue,” he is quoted by Sport Bild.
Australia’s last world champion, Alan Jones, earlier advised Webber to jump ship to Ferrari, but he now thinks he should stay at Red Bull.
"A couple of months ago I would’ve said maybe look at Ferrari for a fresh start and, getting towards the end of his career rather than the beginning of it, it’s always good to get on your CV that you’re an ex-Ferrari driver,” he told AAP news agency.
But given Webber’s new form and Red Bull’s return to the top, Jones added: “Red Bull would be silly to let him go and he’d be wise to stay where he is."
"I think he’s just put himself in a far better bargaining position after the weekend."
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare 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
Alonso: Stroll more sensitive to Aston F1 car handling issues I drive around
Aston Martin ‘not convinced’ Alonso would definitely want to stay in F1
Suzuka sensation redeemed Alonso, but his F1 future is complicated
2024 F1 Chinese GP sprint qualifying results: Lando Norris takes pole
Sainz will have to "survive with what we have" in China F1 sprint
What's been going wrong for Leclerc in F1's tiny margins qualifying game
Long Beach IMSA: Bourdais spins then tops FP2 for Cadillac
Latvala: Neuville, Evans tied for WRC Croatia lead "something special"
Streets of Long Beach receive changes ahead of the IMSA, IndyCar doubleheader
The Chinese Grand Prix's Chaotic Return and Cloudy Future
The short-term pain that hides a very real Williams improvement
How a Shanghai to Sheffield journey paved the way for China’s F1 hero
Why F1 2026 worst-case fears could be key to new rules success
How the F1 driver market situation sits for each team with 2025 openings
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