Mark WebberMARK Webber's position as Red Bull's No.2 driver was confirmed with cash yesterday when Sebastian Vettel signed a staggering new deal understood to be worth about $64 million.
With several rival teams circling the reigning world champion, Red Bull Racing pulled out all the stops and upgraded Vettel’s contract to a reported $16 million (AUD) a year, while also extending his deal until the end of 2014.
The new deal dwarfs the one-year contract extension Mark Webber inked last year with the value of the Aussie ace’s 2011contract reported to be worth $8m.
Mark WebberWebber, who refuses to commit to long term contracts as he does not want to drive when he is past his used by date, recently hinted he would consider a switch to Ferrari.
"Driving those red cars has always held that romantic attraction," Webber said.
"But I hope I can continue to work hard for Red Bull. They know that my reputation is that when I do things, I do them to my best ability at all times. And they know I will do that again."
Mark WebberMaking Vettel's new deal even more remarkable is that they star driver negotiated the contract himself without the help of an agent.
"It’s very rare for someone who is so young to be so in control of his own destiny," said Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner.
"It’s very refreshing that he doesn’t have a big management group telling him what to do or where to do it.
Ferrari"Sebastian is very protective of his time. He is not interested in, for want of a better word, ‘profiling’ or anything like that. He is very focused on being a racing driver and is protective of his time to train and prepare for grands prix. That works for him. With Sebastian it has been very straightforward."
Horner suspects Vettel, who clinched the 2010 driver's title in dramatic circumstances at the final race in Abu Dhabi last year, had several offers to leave Red Bull Racing.
Ferrari"I’m sure he had loads of approaches and inquiries but he didn't take any of them seriously," Horner said. "That’s one of the reasons we were keen to get this finalised at the start of the year - to avoid speculation. His future is with Red Bull for the foreseeable future.
"This is a clear commitment from Red Bull to run at the front with the likes of Ferrari and McLaren."
The deal for the sport's youngest ever champion ended speculation of a switch to Ferrari.
"The reason why I'll stay until 2014 with Red Bull Racing is that I feel very comfortable in the team," Vettel said.
Ferrari"I am proud to be part of the team, and I am proud of what we have archived so far and will achieve together in the future."
Webber's contract is up at the end of the year and the ACT-raised driver has given no indication of whether or not this year will be his last.
Hoping to win his first Australian grand prix next weekend, Webber will arrive in Melbourne on Saturday for a historic drive across the Bolte Bridge in an F1 car.
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