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F1: Red Bull Racing boss wants 'long-term' contract talks with Sebastian Vettel

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Khatir Soltani
From GMM

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner wants to sit down with German driver Sebastian Vettel at Silverstone this weekend and talk about the future.

The twenty-three-year-old Vettel is already contracted to Red Bull Racing for 2011, but the Milton Keynes based team reportedly wants a much longer deal.

Germany's Sport Bild said the team, owned by Austrian Dietrich Mateschitz but run by Briton Horner, is eyeing a deal through 2015.

But when asked precisely how long he would like Vettel to commit, Horner joked: "2028. Then he'd be 41, like Michael Schumacher."

Vettel handles his own contractual negotiations, with only the assistance of his father Norbert.

Horner said: "I know that Mercedes would have Sebastian. Ferrari too, and even McLaren would not be averse. That's why we want to have him for the long term."

The media report said a new deal to 2015, with options through to 2018 with a ten per cent retainer increase per additional year, would boost Vettel's retainer to about EUR 12 million per season.

Said Horner: "Sebastian is the future. He is going to be around, winning, for many years."

And Vettel commented: "I already have a contract with Red Bull. What happens next, we will see.

"For me, it's not about the money but about sitting in a competitive car with a team I feel comfortable with."

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 8 years experience as a car reviewer
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