MARCH 13, 2013

Experts doubt Vettel to make Ferrari switch

A trio of experts do not believe Sebastian Vettel will switch to Ferrari any time soon.

One of them is the reigning world champion's own boss, Red Bull magnate Dietrich Mateschitz.

"Right now it's not a problem," the Austrian billionaire told Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.

For now, Mateschitz has Vettel under contract, but he acknowledged that the lure of Ferrari might one day become too strong.

"If he doesn't want to be with us anymore, it would be absurd to try to keep him because of a contract," he admitted.

"I have to say that, if I was a driver, my wish would be to drive for Ferrari."

Former F1 driver Gerhard Berger agrees that Vettel should be in no current mind to switch from Red Bull.

"One of Vettel's qualities is his brain," the former McLaren and Ferrari driver told APA news agency.

"As long as Red Bull gives him the conditions he has now, it would be crazy if he thinks about something else.

"It is a hundred times better to be world champion five times with Red Bull than never with Ferrari."

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, who is famously close to backgammon partner Vettel, couldn't agree more.

"Seb could stay at Red Bull his whole career," he told Bild newspaper. "He's happy there, they build him a top car every time.

"I would be shocked if he left," added Ecclestone.

(GMM)