Red Bull switch likely for Vettel

Sebastian Vettel is likely to move from Toro Rosso to Red Bull`s primary Formula One team in 2009, the Swiss newspaper Blick reports.

The probable move, also flagged by the energy drink outfit`s motor racing advisor Helmut Marko in the British magazine Autosport this week, has been on the cards for some time.

Last year, Red Bull magnate Dietrich Mateschitz insisted that Vettel is likely to be in a Red Bull cockpit in 2009.

It also emerged recently that, while team-mate Sebastien Bourdais` contract is with Toro Rosso this year, Vettel`s deal - set to run for another couple of years - is solely with Red Bull.

When asked if Vettel is set to move up to Red Bull Racing next year, Marko answered: “I think so, yes.”

Surely among the favourites to replace Vettel at STR next year, alongside Red Bull test driver Sebastien Buemi, is New Zealand teenager Brendon Hartley, who recently gave the team`s 2008 car its actual track debut at Vairano.

The 18-year-old is currently racing in British F3 with Red Bull sponsorship, and has moved from Austria to live with Buemi in Milton Keynes, close to Red Bull Racing`s base.

“I always thought I would arrive in Formula One someday but never really knew how it would happen. The dream is getting closer and closer all the time now,” he admitted.

Hartley also revealed that - `fingers crossed` - he will do some driving in RBR`s F1 driver simulator this year.

Source: GMM

17.4.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ Red Bull, Vettel    ▪ en.f1-live.com