Following his second win of the season at the British Grand Prix Mark Webber has signed to race with Red Bull for the 2013 season.
Only yesterday (Monday) Mark said of his win, "It helps my situation to stay in Formula 1. At the start of the year I didn't have a contract and now I'm pushing to get a contract for next year."
It didn't take long. Red Bull issued the following press release a few minutes ago:
Tuesday 10 July 2012
RED BULL RACING CONFIRM MARK WEBBER FOR 2013
We’re delighted to announce that Mark Webber’s contract has been extended for another year, meaning the Australian, who won the British Grand Prix on Sunday for a second time, will continue to drive for the Team in 2013.
Mark Webber said: “I’ve been with Red Bull Racing since 2007 and have achieved nine grand prix wins during that time. I’m high on confidence at the moment and firing on all cylinders. I know the Team well and I’m very comfortable here; we have grown together over the years and it feels like absolutely the right thing to stay with Red Bull for another season. The Team is constantly working hard to improve in all areas and we’ve shown that together we can win races. It’s great to be able to make this announcement off the back of the win in Silverstone at the weekend and I’m looking forward to competing on the edge and pushing myself in every race again next season.”
Christian Horner said: “Mark has driven very well in the first nine races of this season and his performance has been impressive. Much of his Formula One success has been during his time with Red Bull Racing and together we have achieved 10 poles, nine wins and 31 podiums. As there was a strong desire from both sides to continue the partnership, it was a logical decision to extend our relationship and it is with great pleasure that we confirm Mark will drive for us in 2013.”
As Sebastian Vettel is already contracted to Red Bull Racing, this confirms the Team’s 2013 driver line-up.
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The drivers market should now come alive. Webber was expected to move to Ferrari but following Massa's recent resurgence in form it looks like Ferrari will resign him.
Meanwhile the Daily Mail reports that Lewis Hamilton is making noises about moving to Lotus. We struggle to believe that though. Recently Ron Dennis said he was talking to Lewis about next year but that with the current financial market they wouldn't be able to pay the stratospheric fee a driver of Hamilton's calibre would normally be paid. It seems Lewis' team is putting stories out in order to push up his price.
We'll find out soon who goes where.
