02/04/2013
NEWS STORY
Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has added to the on-going saga by hinting that Mark Webber could be retained for an eighth season with his team.
While some still believe the Australian could give the forthcoming Chinese Grand Prix a miss in protest at his teammates actions in Malaysia and others speculate on whether he will ride out the season before heading off for pastures new, team owner Mateschitz has stirred up the pot by suggesting Webber could partner Sebastian Vettel for a sixth year.
"Whether he retires, only he will choose but Mark is definitely a candidate for 2014," the Austrian told Germany's Speedweek.
"He is always welcome with us, so too would be a quick junior like Vergne or Ricciardo from the Toro Rosso team," he added. "I know it's a diplomatic answer which leaves everything open, but that's how it is. Everything else is pure speculation."
Finally, just to confuse the issue still further, he added: "Kimi is cool and fast and always a candidate," referring to Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen who drove for the Red Bull-backed Citroen Junior Team in the World Rally Championship in 2010 and again in 2011.