The Austrian team, Red Bull Racing is adamant to keep the 2010 World Champion Sebastian Vettel tied with the team for at least another three or four years. However, the German driver very vividly exclaimed that though they have
had a good time together, he would only be willing to stay on as long as the car stays competitive.
Two weeks ago the German driver only stood at third place in the Driver’s Championship while Ferrari’s driver, Fernando Alonso topped the charts. At the same time, the other Red Bull driver, Mark Webber, who has ruled the point’s
tally for most part of the season stood at second place and had far better chances of winning the Championship than his teammate.
However, the last round of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw a spectacular display from the 23-year-old driver who not only embraced the fifth race-win of the season but also elevated himself to be the youngest Formula One
Champion in 60 years of the sport’s history.
The year has concluded very dramatically for the German. It brought a big share of success as the Red Bull driver was able to bag a considerable number of race wins and also take ten pole positions, more than any other driver this
year.
The 2010 season has only been the second year for the driver with the Austrian team. Last year Vettel wrapped up the championship at second place while this year he embraced a phenomenal success as this season has been the most
dramatic and thrilling season of the sport’s history. Until the last round of the season the tug between the top four racers was equally intense.
However, as the season ended with the brilliant Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as the technically most advanced and challenging circuit of the calendar, Yas Marina, fans were delighted to see Vettel as their new and youngest World Champion.
Moreover, the Austrian team has bagged the second title of the season, the Constructor’s Championship as well. The winning team has now expressed their hopes of moving along with the team driver for a long while. However, the team’s
advisor, Helmut Marko clarified earlier today that although a new contract has been signed that keeps Vettel with the team even after 2012, it is not yet long-term as reported by the media.
While talking to reporters he said, "Let's be clear: there is not going to be a ten-year contract, because we are not able to guarantee we will have a competitive car for that long. And Sebastian cannot guarantee that he will always
be comfortable with us. But in the meanwhile, the next three or four years, we are firmly planning to be with him."
While answering some of the journalist’s questions, Marko said that no team can confidently assure the same pace and competitiveness for such a long period and also it is not wise for a driver to make such long commitments. Hence,
he believes that a reasonable contract has been signed between the team and the driver, which is comfortable for both.
Moreover, while talking to the press about any offer to Vettel from Ferrari, Marko said, "We all know the political sensitivities at Ferrari," he said. "And he [Vettel] has seen with us that he has a comfort factor. He needs a
team that doesn't throw a knife in your back at the first sign of trouble."
He concluded saying that generally every driver dreams to drive with Ferrari some day or the other, but Red Bull plans to make the decision as tough for him as they can.
Vettel has also exclaimed last week that he would love to be a part of the historic names in Formula One like Ferrari or Mercedes someday although, he added that it is "still a long way away".
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