Kimi Raikkonen is “a candidate” to replace Mark Webber at Red Bull, team owner Dietrich Mateschitz has admitted.<\/p>\n
In the wake of the ‘Multi-21’ team orders affair, Red Bull denied speculation Webber’s role as teammate to world champion Sebastian Vettel is now untenable.<\/p>\n
But even billionaire Mateschitz, a known strong supporter of 36-year-old Webber, agrees that the Australian could leave at the end of his 2013 contract.<\/p>\n
“Whether he retires, only he will choose,” Austrian Mateschitz told Speed Week.<\/p>\n
“(But) Mark is definitely a candidate for 2014.<\/p>\n
“He is always welcome with us.\u00a0 So too would be a quick junior like Vergne or Ricciardo from the Toro Rosso team,” he added.<\/p>\n
“Sorry, I know it’s a diplomatic answer which leaves everything open, but that’s how it is.\u00a0 Everything else is pure speculation.”<\/p>\n
Fascinatingly, Mateschitz also mentioned Finn Raikkonen – a close friend of Vettel’s – as also potentially in the running for a 2014 seat.<\/p>\n
Often mentioning the 2007 world champion in interviews, Mateschitz is an open admirer of Raikkonen’s, having sponsored the 33-year-old’s two year rallying foray in 2010 and 2011.<\/p>\n
Contradicting April Fool rumours that Raikkonen has announced his impending retirement, Mateschitz said: “Kimi is cool and fast and always a candidate.”<\/p>\n
Germany’s Bild newspaper reported that Webber has “already been in contact” with Porsche officials, regarding a new 2014 prototype team for the famous marque at Le Mans.<\/p>\n
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