Mateschitz plays down Vettel-Ferrari rumours

Toro Rosso co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz has played down persisting rumours that Sebastian Vettel could end up racing a Ferrari in 2009.

Even though the Austrian billionaire intends to sell his Red Bull stake in Gerhard Berger`s team next year, Mateschitz rubbished speculation that the prized young German driver is also on the move.

He said there is no link between the rumours and the fact that Ferrari is Toro Rosso`s engine supplier.

“First, we pay for our Ferrari engines,” Mateschitz told the Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell.

“Secondly, we did not want even Alonso if it is just for one year.

“We have supported (Vettel) for six or seven years, even when BMW temporarily borrowed him.

I don`t like to talk about contractual details.

“But one thing is clear: with Sebastian we have a long term contract.”

It also emerged on the sidelines of the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang that, while Sebastien Bourdais signed a one-year Toro Rosso contract for 2008, Vettel`s deal is solely with the energy drink Red Bull.

Source: GMM

23.3.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ Ferrari, rumour, Vettel    ▪ en.f1-live.com