Rumor
Formula 1
Webber's successor to be decided after Hungary
The list includes Daniel Ricciardo, Jean-Eric Vergne (long-shot) and of course Kimi Raikkonen.
GMM
Edited: Jul 26, 2013, 7:25 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Jul.26 (GMM) The Formula One world is hanging on the protagonists' every word, as Red Bull nears a decision about who will replace Mark Webber in 2014.
Rumours in the Hungaroring paddock swirled that a contract is being prepared with Daniel Ricciardo's name on it, but the young Australian insisted: "I haven't seen one!"
The time, however, is looming.
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing Test Driver with the media
Photo by: XPB Images
"Usually there's two or three press guys turning up for my media sessions, today it was more like 20 or 30," the Toro Rosso driver said in Hungary.
Their wait continues for now, but it will end soon.
In Budapest, the last race before a four-week break in the calendar, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner revealed: "We'll take probably the summer break to reflect.
"Then it (the decision) is going to be Spa or Monza but it's not going to be later than that I don't think."
Ricciardo's Toro Rosso teammate Jean-Eric Vergne was once considered in the running for the plum seat next to Sebastian Vettel, but Horner admitted it is now definitely a two-horse race.
"I think at this stage it (a Red Bull seat) is probably too early for him (Vergne).
"I think he deserves a seat in Formula One. Should he not be successful with the Red Bull seat then it makes logical sense for him to continue at Toro Rosso," he added.
With that, then, Horner said Ricciardo and Kimi Raikkonen are "extremely good" candidates to succeed the Le Mans-bound Webber.
Red Bull team owner Dietrich Mateschitz said this week that Ricciardo, 23, did an "excellent" job in the Red Bull at the recent Silverstone test.
Horner agreed: "The test has strengthened his case."
Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus F1 Team in the FIA Press Conference
Photo by: XPB Images
At the very same time, 2007 world champion Raikkonen hinted he might simply stay at Lotus next year -- admitting that decision could attract some critics.
"Whatever the decision will be," the Finn said in Budapest, "it might feel stupid to somebody else but then it might feel right for me."
The 33-year-old, who drove for top teams McLaren and Ferrari in his pre-sabbatical career, also suggested the decision will be taken in the summer break.
"I haven't made my decision," Raikkonen told Finland's Turun Sanomat newspaper, "and I will not make it this weekend."
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 Red Bull on track for another title - Wolff
Next article Williams not planning further tests for Wolff
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Daniel Ricciardo
Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans
WEC
WEC
Why Daniel Ricciardo would consider a comeback at Le Mans
Does Daniel Ricciardo regret leaving Red Bull for Renault?
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Does Daniel Ricciardo regret leaving Red Bull for Renault?
Daniel Ricciardo shares heartfelt message after first Indy 500 visit brought back "childhood feelings"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
Daniel Ricciardo shares heartfelt message after first Indy 500 visit brought back "childhood feelings"
More from
Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton buoyed by historic first Ferrari F1 pole: "I still love what I do"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
9 h
Lewis Hamilton buoyed by historic first Ferrari F1 pole: "I still love what I do"
Ferrari downplays expectations for F1 Mexico GP despite blistering Friday
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mexican GP
18 h
Ferrari downplays expectations for F1 Mexico GP despite blistering Friday
Latest news
MotoGP Malaysian GP: Marc Marquez takes dominant win to inch closer to title
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
44 min
MotoGP Malaysian GP: Marc Marquez takes dominant win to inch closer to title
MotoGP riders step up pressure in final bid to avoid Qatar Grand Prix
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
1 h
MotoGP riders step up pressure in final bid to avoid Qatar Grand Prix
Live: MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix as it happens
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
1 h
Live: MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix as it happens
Carson Kvapil gets Rodney Childers a clock and the O'Reilly Chase is wide open now
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Martinsville II
3 h
Carson Kvapil gets Rodney Childers a clock and the O'Reilly Chase is wide open now
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