The Formula 1 rumour mill has started to turn again after a short Easter break. The latest debate is a possible move to Red Bull for ice-cool Finn Kimi Raikkonen.
This comes after the "Multi-21" incident that took place between Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel at the Malaysian Grand Prix, with a whole host of names being thrown into the fray should Webber leave the team at the end of 2013.
Post-Malaysian Grand Prix, an understandably fired up and furious Webber revealed "there were a lot of things on my mind in the last 15 laps of that Grand Prix." This sparked rumours of the Aussie possibly thinking about leaving Red Bull at the end of the year and perhaps even retiring from the sport should a competitive seat not come about.
However whilst talking to SpeedWeek, Red Bull Team Owner Dietrich Mateschitz hinted that Webber would be more than welcome to continue at the Milton Keynes based squad, as would a possible replacement. He named Toro Rosso juniors Vergne, Ricciardo and interestingly enough current Lotus F1 Team driver Kimi Raikkonen as potential replacements.
He started by saying "Whether he retires (Webber), only he will choose, but Mark is definitely a candidate for 2013," after speculation over the race seat.
He added "He is always welcome with us, so too would be a quick junior like (Jean-Eric) Vergne or (Daniel) Ricciardo from the Toro Rosso team. Sorry, I know it's a diplomatic answer which leaves everything open, but that's how it is."
The billionaire then said "Everything else is pure speculation."
Webber has a big supporter in Mateschitz, the Austrian has openly shared his views on the Aussie, but even he is wondering if the Aussie has had enough and will depart.
Despite the "speculation" over Webber's potential replacement (should he leave the team), Mateschitz also added Raikkonen's name to the fray. The Finn has links with Red Bull, having formerly driven for the Citroen Junior World Rally Team who were backed by the drinks manufacturer.
He said "Kimi is cool and fast and always a candidate."
Raikkonen is close friends with Sebastian Vettel, which would contrast heavily with the rumoured tension within the team. However the Red Bull team has said it is far too early to think about driver line-ups for 2014.
As Mateschitz said, it is all speculation for now but you can't blame Mark Webber if he does leave the team at the end of 2013. Rumour has it he has already in contact with a manufacturer regarding a new prototyre Le Mans team. But as I said, that is just a rumour for now at least.
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| (c) Octane Photographic |
Post-Malaysian Grand Prix, an understandably fired up and furious Webber revealed "there were a lot of things on my mind in the last 15 laps of that Grand Prix." This sparked rumours of the Aussie possibly thinking about leaving Red Bull at the end of the year and perhaps even retiring from the sport should a competitive seat not come about.
However whilst talking to SpeedWeek, Red Bull Team Owner Dietrich Mateschitz hinted that Webber would be more than welcome to continue at the Milton Keynes based squad, as would a possible replacement. He named Toro Rosso juniors Vergne, Ricciardo and interestingly enough current Lotus F1 Team driver Kimi Raikkonen as potential replacements.
He started by saying "Whether he retires (Webber), only he will choose, but Mark is definitely a candidate for 2013," after speculation over the race seat.
He added "He is always welcome with us, so too would be a quick junior like (Jean-Eric) Vergne or (Daniel) Ricciardo from the Toro Rosso team. Sorry, I know it's a diplomatic answer which leaves everything open, but that's how it is."
The billionaire then said "Everything else is pure speculation."
Webber has a big supporter in Mateschitz, the Austrian has openly shared his views on the Aussie, but even he is wondering if the Aussie has had enough and will depart.
Despite the "speculation" over Webber's potential replacement (should he leave the team), Mateschitz also added Raikkonen's name to the fray. The Finn has links with Red Bull, having formerly driven for the Citroen Junior World Rally Team who were backed by the drinks manufacturer.
He said "Kimi is cool and fast and always a candidate."
Raikkonen is close friends with Sebastian Vettel, which would contrast heavily with the rumoured tension within the team. However the Red Bull team has said it is far too early to think about driver line-ups for 2014.
As Mateschitz said, it is all speculation for now but you can't blame Mark Webber if he does leave the team at the end of 2013. Rumour has it he has already in contact with a manufacturer regarding a new prototyre Le Mans team. But as I said, that is just a rumour for now at least.
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