Helmut Marko, Red Bull F1 advisor, revealed that Red Bull can’t afford Sebastian Vettel on the team alonside Max Verstappen.
Recently, negotiation over contract renewal between Ferrari and Vettel fells apart.
On Tuesday, Ferrari announced that the four time world champion will no longer remain on the team beyond 2020. Reportedly, short term contract with pay-cut was rejected by the German.
Before joining Ferrari in 2015, Vettel was Red Bull’s success face for four years. He won four world titles with the Austrian team.
Red Bull motorsport boss is not willing to talk over Vettel and consider it non-topic.
Marko – Vettel
Earlier this year, Sky Germany reported Marko’s take on Vettel rejoining the team with Max Verstappen on board. He particularly went on expressing major key factor. He explained: “For very simple monetary reasons, we can’t afford two such top stars.”
He stood by his stance and didn’t change his mind over the availability of Vettel in 2021.
“My statement was no two ‘Vs’ at Red Bull Racing,” said Marko, “That we don’t want to afford financially. And we can’t afford it either.”
Marko commented on Vettels downplaying the role of money as a decisive factor in negotiations. He pointed out that the Ferrari bid was higher than what Red Bull would be willing to pay for him.
“The amounts Ferrari offered to him and what [Alex] Albon earns in comparison are miles apart.”
Marko and Vettel are “are always in contact”. But he stressed that German “has been informed that at the moment the situation is fixed with Max as number one driver.
“We cannot and will not afford two top stars.”
News suggest that Carlos Sainz is the top contender for the seat on Ferrari with a probable deal in a week. However, Daniel Ricciardo has also emerged as a possibility.
Toto Wolff, Mercede boss, suggest that teams must consider Vettel while sorting driver line-up.
