Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was also thrilled to be holding onto Webber for another year, particularly as his form this season has helped haul the team up to fourth in the Constructors' Championship.

“Earlier in the season both parties expressed a desire to continue working together and so it was a very quick and short discussion that led to an extension of our agreement. Mark has driven fantastically well this year. He has really demonstrated that he is a world class driver and this year the team has been able to give him the tools to endorse that fact.

“While all our efforts are currently concentrated on maintaining our fourth place in the Constructors' Championship, the next challenge facing us is to make the big step and challenge the top three teams and we believe Mark is absolutely the right guy to have in the car to help us achieve that.”

With Coulthard retiring at the end of the season, no word has been made on who will be joining Webber in the Red Bull team, although Toro Rosso standout Sebastian Vettel is likely to be the favourite.