Sebastian Vettel has again sought to play down suggestions that he is now assured of a
Red Bull Racing seat in
Formula 1 in 2009 following
David Coulthard's retirement announcement this weekend, whilst joking that the fact that he knows the energy drinks-backed concern's owner ‘should help'.
The German – the youngest driver in the top flight – celebrated his 21st birthday on Friday with a cake in
Scuderia Toro Rosso's
Silverstone pit garage ahead of his first British Grand Prix this weekend.
It has been rumoured for weeks that Vettel – who has a long-term contract with Red Bull – is as good as a shoe-in for promotion to the senior outfit next year, but both he and the team have repeatedly denied this is the case.
“All I can say is that we haven't spoken about that so far,” he stressed, speaking to reporters at the end of the opening day's practice around the Northants circuit. “Perhaps we will in the future, but so far we are only concentrating on this season.”
The man from Heppenheim did, however, acknowledge that changing teams to RBR would be less of an upheaval than going elsewhere, quipping: “I know the boss so that should help!”
When asked specifically if he would move to Red Bull if the opportunity presented itself,
F1SA quotes him as having responded: “Why not?”
