Vettel signs extension with Red Bull
Posted March 14, 2011 2:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LONDON — Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel extended his contract with Red Bull until the end of the 2014 season on Monday.
The deal for the sport’s youngest ever champion should end speculation that he could defect to Ferrari.
“The reason why I’ll stay until 2014 with Red Bull Racing is that I feel very comfortable in the team,” Vettel said. “I am proud to be part of the team, and I am proud of what we have archived so far and will achieve together in the future.”
The German, who captured his first world title by winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November, agreed to the new deal while preparing for the season-opening Australian GP in Melbourne on March 27.
“Sebastian feels very comfortable within the team and the team feels very comfortable with him,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told the BBC. “We started to talk about (the contract) earlier in the year and it came together quickly.
“It’s good to have it done and tidied up prior to the beginning of the season — rumours had already started about other teams. We were keen to take away that distraction and concentrate on the racing.”
Vettel won the drivers’ championship ahead of Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso and Red Bull teammate Mark Webber, who is yet to extend his contract beyond the end of the 2011 season.
Vettel, who became the youngest driver to win an F1 race at 21, also helped his team win the constructors’ championship in 2010.
