AUGUST 26, 2013

Horner denies Webber's 2014 replacement news

Christian Horner and Daniel Ricciardo have denied Mark Webber's suggestion the decision about his 2014 successor is already made.

Christian Horner and Daniel Ricciardo have denied Mark Webber's suggestion the decision about his 2014 successor is already made.

Obviously referring to his young compatriot Ricciardo, Le Mans-bound Webber said just before Sunday's Belgian grand prix that the news is "good for him and good for Australia".

Red Bull team boss Horner, however, hit back: "I have never known a driver sign another driver.

"We have not yet made a decision," he insisted, according to Express newspaper.

The British broadcaster Sky said at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, however, that Ricciardo has indeed been signed, with the news to be announced within days.

Horner also denied that.

"We will take a couple of weeks to think things over," he insisted. "It's not a football transfer window, so no rush," he told the BBC.

24-year-old Ricciardo also denied Webber's news.

"He really said that?" the Toro Rosso driver was quoted on Sunday by Russia's f1news.ru.

"We all know Mark -- he likes to make predictions, sometimes they are right, sometimes they're not.

"It's nice that he supports me, so I take his words as a compliment.

"But I'm sure if I had a contract, I would know about it. I don't think we're going to have to wait long for the team, but I still haven't heard anything," added Ricciardo.

(GMM)