Vettel To Replace Coultahrd In Team Red Bull Racing Next Year
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Jul 18, 2008
Team Red Bull
One of the first pieces in the 2009 Formula One jigsaw fell into place yesterday with the announcement in Hockenheim that Sebastian Vettel will transfer from energy drink magnate Dietrich Mateschitz’s Toro Rosso team to his senior Red Bull Racing outfit. The 21 year-old German will replace David Coulthard, who announced at Silverstone that he will retire at the end of this season.
Team principal Christian Horner said: “We are delighted that Sebastian will be joining us next year. With David announcing his retirement as a Formula One driver a fortnight ago at the British Grand Prix, after careful consideration, it seemed natural to announce his replacement here at Sebastian’s home race in Hockenheim. As he was already part of the Red Bull family, choosing him as Mark Webber’s team-mate was not a difficult decision. However,we have always stated that our aim is to have the strongest available driver line-up and Vettel’s selection also matches these criteria.
“Having only turned 21 at the last race and with only 17 Grand Prix starts to his name, he is still on a learning curve, but it is clear that he has plenty of ability and speed. We are confident that Red Bull Racing will make the most of these attributes and believe that, in Mark and Sebastian, we have a very competitive driver line-up for 2009.”
While there has been talk that Red Bull might go after Fernando Alonso should he decide to leave Renault, Horner says that was not a viable option at this time.
“Fernando for us, the terms that he was potentially looking for, would never have been an option and to be honest was one we didn’t look particularly hard at. In Sebastian we’ve got one for the future.”
Vettel is currently in his first full season with Scuderia Toro Rosso, the sister team to Red Bull. The 21 year old made his F1 debut with BMW-Sauber at the 2007 U.S. Grand Prix, subbing for the injured Robert Kubica. He managed to qualify eighth and finished seventh, giving everyone a glimpse of his potential.
“I’ve been working with Red Bull for a very long time.. I could never imagine to race in F1,” said Vettel. “At that time (Red Bull) didn’t have an F1 team. At some point they had two and it was a dream to race for them. And obviously to drive for Red Bull Racing next year is another dream come true.”
“I am very proud to be joining Red Bull Racing and it’s always good to have an early decision on what you are doing next year,” Vettel said.
“Having got this announcement out of the way, I can concentrate on racing for Toro Rosso over the second half of the season,” Vettel said. “I will try and repay them by doing my very best to get some more good results, to add to those we have achieved so far.”
On comparisons with Schumacher, he said: “You can’t say that what people say is in your mind. For me, I don’t care. I have my own target. Every single lap in every single race I want to do the best I can.
“If someone says you’re good, maybe you’re happy, but it doesn’t help you for the next lap. If they say you’re bad, if they have the right criteria and there’s a bit of truth, maybe you can learn.
“But in the end it’s important not to care too much what people say or you will lose your way.”
