Seems like the news is finally filtering through that Mercedes tried to sign Seb but Lauda sounding like Seb has extended with IRBR now.
Further signs that Vettel's could be Alonso's teammate next year. Massa looked great at the end of last year and you'd think ending the season like that would leave him confident about his chances of signing a new contract with Ferrari. He looked confident at the launch, happier than Alonso in testing, but when asked whether he will keep his Ferrari seat for 2014, he says "I donât know what will happen". Why already so uncertain? If he thinks he can perform at his best this year and still be replaced, that can only mean that he thinks Vettel is the one being lined up to replace him. Massa says he'll fight for the 2014 Ferrari seat, but I wonder if what he's really fighting for is the Red Bull seat. Moving on to Red Bull, Mateschitz says that if Vettel ever wants to go to Ferrari, he would allow it to happen, even if Vettel was still contracted to Red Bull. Also there's this: Vettel's old contract 3 year deal with 3rd year option Signed: August 2009 Expires: December 2012 First race of 2011: 27th March 2011 New contract signed: 14 March 2011 Vettel's current contract 3 year deal with 3rd year option Signed: March 2011 Expires: December 2014 First race of 2013: 17th March 2013 New contract signed: Nothing signed/announced. Something wrong, Mr. Marko?
So if Vettel goes to Ferrari, who do red bull sign? Webber is probably going to retire at the end of this season, if Vettel leaves, they need 2 new drivers, and the Toro Rosso pair aren't good enough yet.
Currently, I'd like 2 from 3 of Raikkonen/Hulkenburg/Bottas, depending on how the latter two prove themselves this season.
Can't see Raikkonen being one to put up with some of the bigwigs at Red Bull sadly I'd like to see Bottas there, and maybe Button? (odd choice I know). If Vettel does leave surely Red Bull would keep Webber for one more season to try and make the transition smoother?
Wonder how influential Hamilton can be on any performance clauses in his Merc contract? Does deliberately crashing to fail to meet points target count for a release so he can join RBR!?
Button has said he'd like to see his career out at Mclaren, and whilst the chance of a championship winning car may change his mind, I can't see Vettel leaving if the car is that good, so the situation wouldn't arise. Realistically, I kinda agree about Raikkonen. I think Webber might be kept on as he might see it as his chance to finally lead the team. However comes in is likely to be young, so smoothing the transition would make sense.
Austrian media is reporting that Vettel has extended his contract by another two years. Apparently Horner admitted it to a "small group of insiders". I'm not sure how reliable that is but if he's re-signed why not announce it already? Also... Isn't this why Ferrari only re-signed Massa for one year? So how could Vettel sign with Red Bull for two years?
I don't think Vettel has anything signed with Ferrari, he doesn't have a manager and these things are complicated, it takes days or weeks of negotiation, where would he have found the time? He's not a fool, he wouldn't have just had a quick chat and signed whatever they slid under his nose. I also think his "dirty tricks" comment in Brazil last year was aimed at Ferrari for starting rumours. I'd be surprised if he's signed an extension with Red Bull though, he doesn't need to commit, they won't release him if he wants to stay. Only thing would be if they've offered him an immediate pay rise with it.
Talk about sucking up to a future driver: and this as well: compared to: Oh and it's worth re-posting this:
http://formula-one.speedtv.com/arti...ys-down-sebastian-vettel-to-mercedes-reports/ Also rumours of Vettel to Mercedes after a couple of quotes from Lauda. I can't see Vettel going there even if Mercedes want him, which they probably do.
I dunno, the draw of driving for your country could be a big one, if they have a good season in 2014 he could go there in 2015.
