Red Bull to decide Webber future in late August

Red Bull will make a decision about its 2012 driver lineup in late August, team boss Christian Horner has announced.

Before the British grand prix, it seemed near certain that Australian Mark Webber would be retained to race next season alongside Sebastian Vettel, who is under long-term contract.

But 34-year-old Webber then ignored team orders towards the end of the Silverstone race, prompting Horner to schedule private talks.

“He risked the second place of Sebastian, his third place and 33 points for the team,” Briton Horner said in an interview with Bild newspaper.

The team boss sounded angry about Webber’s behaviour.

“I understand that he’s racing, but he also absolutely unnecessarily risked a crash.  If all 500 people in the team thought only of themselves, we could never achieve our goals,” he charged.

Asked directly if Webber has endangered his 2012 seat, Horner answered: “We will meet in late August and take a decision together.”

As for the requirements for Vettel’s teammate next year, Horner said: “He must bring harmony to the team.”

He then voluntarily referred to this week’s speculation about Kimi Raikkonen.

“I think his head is in a different place than formula one at the moment.  So far I’ve seen no signs that he wants to come back.

“We don’t have a driver problem; everyone in the pitlane is already beating on our door, and we have time,” said Horner.

© RIF | GMM