Breaking news
Formula 1
Horner gives "definite no" to Vettel return to Red Bull
Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has said a "definite no" to the prospect of Sebastian Vettel rejoining the team in 2021.
Adam Cooper
Edited: Jul 10, 2020, 3:03 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Vettel's name has been liked with a return to the Milton Keynes outfit since news of his departure from Ferrari at the end of this season first emerged.
The German has admitted that he immediately called Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko after Ferrari gave him the news, although he insists it was to get advice and not ask for a drive.
The team management has consistently said that there is no seat available as it has complete faith in Alex Albon as Max Verstappen's teammate.
"Obviously the subject has been raised," Horner told Sky F1. "Our commitment is to our existing drivers.
"We think we've got a great pairing in Max and in Alex, and we think that that has great potential for the future as well. Unfortunately it's not something we're going to be able to accommodate."
Asked if that was a definite no, he said: "That is a definite no, I'm afraid. Sebastian I think is aware of that, well he is aware of that. It's unusual for a four-times World Champ to be out of a drive at this point of the year.
"I guess he's got a couple of choices available to him, I assume either Racing Point, or a year out and re-evaluate the options in a year's time."
Read Also:
- Williams in talks with "high quality" potential investors
- 2020 F1 Styrian GP practice results, what if qualifying is cancelled?
Horner suggested that the Silverstone team – which becomes Aston Martin in 2021 – could be a possibility despite Sergio Perez having a long-term deal to partner Lance Stroll, son of team owner Lawrence.
"I don't think Lance is going to get fired!," said Horner. "Of course drivers' contracts between the teams, you never know what's within them, it's only the Contract Recognition Board that has full sight of them.
"I'm sure that perhaps they options, or break points, or whatever. But that's really none of our business."
Speaking to Austrian TV channel ORF on Friday morning, Red Bull motorsport chief Helmut Marko backed up Horner's position.
"We, and I've also told Sebastian this, have no chance of giving him a seat in 2021," he said. "We are now planning for 2021, and there is no chance for Sebastian."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Bottas escapes action for possible COVID protocol breach
Next article Styrian GP: Perez heads FP1 from Verstappen
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Adam Cooper
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
More from
Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel gives update on F1 future as he opens up on life after retirement
Formula 1
Formula 1
Azerbaijan GP
Sebastian Vettel gives update on F1 future as he opens up on life after retirement
Sebastian Vettel: F1 must combine “things we love” with sustainable future
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sebastian Vettel: F1 must combine “things we love” with sustainable future
More from
Red Bull Racing
Laurent Mekies extends contract as Red Bull's F1 team boss
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
5 h
Laurent Mekies extends contract as Red Bull's F1 team boss
Christian Horner opens up on Red Bull F1 exit: “Perhaps it was perceived I had too much influence over the team”
Formula 1
Formula 1 8 h
Christian Horner opens up on Red Bull F1 exit: “Perhaps it was perceived I had too much influence over the team”
Latest news
Ricky Stenhouse explains his side of Michael McDowell conflict
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
3 min
Ricky Stenhouse explains his side of Michael McDowell conflict
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 1 h
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
2 h
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 3 h
Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature
Feature
Discover prime content
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.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe