Mark Webber, Turkish GP 2010 © The Cahier Archive

Red Bull announced today that they have extended his contract for the 2011 season.With Sebastian Vettel already contracted to the team the driver lineup will remain unchanged next season. The announcement indicates that the recent incident in Istanbul between the two Red Bull drivers did not change the basic deal which had been agreed to beforehand. The team is now trying to negotiate with Sebastian Vettel to extend his contract through the 2015 season - his current deal running until the end of 2012.

Mark Webber said, "It was an easy decision to remain with Red Bull Racing. We began talking very early this year and were in a position to sign by the Barcelona Grand Prix. The decision to extend for a further year was a mutual one; it's widely know that I'm not interested in hanging around in Formula One just for the sake of it and at this stage of my career, I'm happy to take one year at a time. I continue to feel very comfortable here - I have a fantastic relationship with the whole team and the factory at Milton Keynes feels like home. It's been incredible to be part of the team as it's moved forward from a mid-field competitor to one that is challenging for the Championship. I hope we experience more success together in the future and achieve our ultimate goal of winning the World Championship."

Team Principal Christian Horner said, "The decision to retain Mark was very straightforward. He is an important member of our team and is currently in the best form of his career, as the current leader of the Drivers' Championship. The team is extremely happy that the driver pairing of Mark and Sebastian will remain unchanged for a third season in 2011."

Source:
F1 News > Red Bull extends Mark Webber's contract for 2011

 

Good news

I have always had faith he had the talent but for so many years being in just the wrong car to ever consider a bid at the WDC, this is the moment he has been preparing for for the last 16 odd years he has been in the UK. That is to be in the right mind set to drive fast and smooth (notice Vettel is the one having all the failures with his more aggressive style) and have a car capable of winning... This is the ultimate goal he has focused his whole life around and this year is the year for RBR to win a WDC/WCC.. RBR would of been mad to not keep him for next year..

 

You beat me to it, DJ.

This is great news, both for Webber and for RBR! I wish him the best of luck with the rest of the season. Nobody deserves a WDC trophy than this guy, imo.

 

smart move on red bulls part, mark has always been a proper talent.

 

Very happy that he is staying at least another year! If this year is not his year for the world championship then next year might be his last chance.

 

Hi,

Great to see my boy getting the extension. Should give him the opportunity to go back to back after he wins this season.

Cheers,
Nik