The speculation linking
Sebastian Vettel to promotion up to the official
Red Bull line-up has gathered further pace, with Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner confirming that the move is indeed a ‘possibility'.
Vettel has for some time now been seen as a shoe-in to replace
David Coulthard at the Milton Keynes-based squad in 2009, the experienced Scot's Montreal podium and recent improved form notwithstanding. Whilst neither side has been willing to comment, in an interview with German magazine
Auto Motor und Sport, Horner did finally drop several hints that there may be more than a grain in truth in the rumours.
The Englishman acknowledged that the 20-year-old ‘rookie' is doing ‘a very good job' this season, before adding that: “We always try to have the best possible driver pairing.”
The 34-year-old also stressed that the young German – a Red Bull-backed driver for some time, with a long-term relationship with the energy drinks company – would ‘not be in the position' to leave the energy drinks fold for the time being.
Vettel, for his part, told
Crash.net whilst testing for
Scuderia Toro Rosso at
Silverstone today ahead of the British Grand Prix that things are progressing nicely with the small Faenza-based outfit's new STR3, bravely introduced in the Monaco Grand Prix late last month and which has since registered points in two races out of the following three.
“First I have to learn the circuit,” the man from Heppenheim admitted, “because I've never been here before. Then we need to get the car suited to the conditions. I haven't driven it (Silverstone) a lot yet, but it looks like there are some pretty fast corners, so I think I will like it.
“We only did a couple of laps this morning; we had a problem with the car, but it should be sorted for the afternoon. It was a problem with the fuel system, but nothing to be worried about for next week.
“I think the STR3 is a step forward. It's always difficult to compare, because you never compare the two on the same day, but I think it's a good step in the right direction.
