17-07-2008, 02:02 PM
RBR signs Vettel for 2009<!--sizec--><!--/sizec-->
Red Bull Racing has confirmed that it has signed Sebastian Vettel to partner Mark Webber in its 2009 driver line-up.
A vacancy opened up at the Milton Keynes-based squad following David Coulthards decision to retire at the end of this season, and Vettel has been widely tipped for promotion from Red Bulls B team Toro Rosso.
There has also been speculation that RBR was trying to entice double world champion Fernando Alonso away from Renault, but the Spaniard remains non-committal about his plans for next year and has been linked to a move to Ferrari in 2010.
Team principal Christian Horner said he was confident that despite Vettels youth and relative inexperience, the 21-year-old German was the right choice.
We are delighted that Sebastian will be joining us next year, said Horner.
With David Coulthard announcing his retirement as a Formula 1 driver a fortnight ago at the British Grand Prix, after careful consideration, it seemed natural to announce his replacement here at Sebastian's home race in Hockenheim.
As he was already part of the Red Bull family, choosing Sebastian as Mark Webber's team-mate was not a difficult decision.
However, we have always stated that our aim is to have the strongest available driver line-up and Vettel's selection also matches these criteria.
Having only turned 21 at the last race and with only 17 Grand Prix starts to his name, he is still on a learning curve, but it is clear that he has plenty of ability and speed.
We are confident that Red Bull Racing will make the most of these attributes and believe that, in Mark and Sebastian, we have a very competitive driver line-up for 2009.
Vettel said joining RBR would mark a clear step forward for his career, as well as being a natural progression given his long-term association with the energy drinks company.
I am very proud to be joining Red Bull Racing and its always good to have an early decision on what you are doing next year, he said.
As a driver your target is always to be with the most competitive team possible and, over the past couple of years, Red Bull Racing has proved it has great potential, so this is a good move for me.
I have been part of the Red Bull family for a long time and with its Junior Team since 2000.
Throughout my career they have offered me great support, and now to drive for their senior F1 team is a dream come true.
I am looking forward to having a great season next year, even if I still have a lot to learn about F1.
Vettel also expressed his gratitude to Toro Rosso for giving him a platform to show his potential over the past two years.
Apart from Red Bull, I must also say a big thank you to Scuderia Toro Rosso, where I feel very much at home, he said.
They have been my family for over a year and I would like to thank [team owners] Franz [Tost] and Gerhard [Berger] for the opportunity they gave me and thank the entire team for all their efforts.
Having got this announcement out of the way, I can concentrate on racing for Toro Rosso over the second half of the season.
I will try and repay them by doing my very best to get some more good results to add to those we have achieved so far.
Fonte: ITV
Red Bull Racing has confirmed that it has signed Sebastian Vettel to partner Mark Webber in its 2009 driver line-up.
A vacancy opened up at the Milton Keynes-based squad following David Coulthards decision to retire at the end of this season, and Vettel has been widely tipped for promotion from Red Bulls B team Toro Rosso.
There has also been speculation that RBR was trying to entice double world champion Fernando Alonso away from Renault, but the Spaniard remains non-committal about his plans for next year and has been linked to a move to Ferrari in 2010.
Team principal Christian Horner said he was confident that despite Vettels youth and relative inexperience, the 21-year-old German was the right choice.
We are delighted that Sebastian will be joining us next year, said Horner.
With David Coulthard announcing his retirement as a Formula 1 driver a fortnight ago at the British Grand Prix, after careful consideration, it seemed natural to announce his replacement here at Sebastian's home race in Hockenheim.
As he was already part of the Red Bull family, choosing Sebastian as Mark Webber's team-mate was not a difficult decision.
However, we have always stated that our aim is to have the strongest available driver line-up and Vettel's selection also matches these criteria.
Having only turned 21 at the last race and with only 17 Grand Prix starts to his name, he is still on a learning curve, but it is clear that he has plenty of ability and speed.
We are confident that Red Bull Racing will make the most of these attributes and believe that, in Mark and Sebastian, we have a very competitive driver line-up for 2009.
Vettel said joining RBR would mark a clear step forward for his career, as well as being a natural progression given his long-term association with the energy drinks company.
I am very proud to be joining Red Bull Racing and its always good to have an early decision on what you are doing next year, he said.
As a driver your target is always to be with the most competitive team possible and, over the past couple of years, Red Bull Racing has proved it has great potential, so this is a good move for me.
I have been part of the Red Bull family for a long time and with its Junior Team since 2000.
Throughout my career they have offered me great support, and now to drive for their senior F1 team is a dream come true.
I am looking forward to having a great season next year, even if I still have a lot to learn about F1.
Vettel also expressed his gratitude to Toro Rosso for giving him a platform to show his potential over the past two years.
Apart from Red Bull, I must also say a big thank you to Scuderia Toro Rosso, where I feel very much at home, he said.
They have been my family for over a year and I would like to thank [team owners] Franz [Tost] and Gerhard [Berger] for the opportunity they gave me and thank the entire team for all their efforts.
Having got this announcement out of the way, I can concentrate on racing for Toro Rosso over the second half of the season.
I will try and repay them by doing my very best to get some more good results to add to those we have achieved so far.
Fonte: ITV