Raikkonen, not Button, a Red Bull 'option' - Horner
The ongoing question of whom will get the Red Bull seat in 2014 if Webber leaves.
Jun.27 (GMM) Amid reports Mark Webber is nearing a new deal for 2014, Red Bull has admitted it still regards Kimi Raikkonen as "an option" to become Sebastian Vettel's next teammate.
Although earlier it was believed 2007 world champion Raikkonen as well as Toro Rosso's current drivers were in the running, it is reported this week that 36-year-old Webber in fact has team owner Dietrich Mateschitz's backing for an eighth consecutive season at Red Bull.
But team boss Horner told British reporters on Wednesday: "Kimi would have to be an option, if he were to be available."
Horner added: "We're in the fortunate position that there are an awful lot of people who would like to drive a Red Bull Racing car."
He said it is possible Webber will decide to leave Formula One at the end of his 2013 deal.
"We've agreed year-on-year deals with him as we did with David Coulthard at a similar stage in his career," said Horner.
"Before making any decision it's important to understand what his (Webber's) intentions are.
"The pairing we have has been tremendously successful. From our perspective we will only change for something better than we currently have," added Horner.
Horner said Jenson Button, who is just tenth in the drivers' championship this year at the wheel of McLaren's uncompetitive car, is not an option.
"Jenson's a class act, as a team player, a human being, a driver," he said.
"He's not on our radar because he's not available. He's married to the team that he's driving for."
Share Or Save This Story
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Pirelli chief calls for radical F1 overhaul
Fernando Alonso earns Michael Schumacher comparison from Jenson Button
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
Jenson Button identifies key reason behind Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari resurgence
Max Verstappen's blunt reaction to F1's Monaco GP sprint race: "No emotion attached to it"
Isack Hadjar brings delayed Zandvoort helmet to Baku for F1 return
How Kimi Antonelli is proving unbeatable, even when he's beaten
F1 Azerbaijan GP: Thursday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
NASCAR to meet with Ty Gibbs for throwing water bottle into Bristol fight
Fermin Aldeguer undergoes surgery to try to speed up recovery ahead of Japanese GP
Jolyon Palmer suggests Oscar Piastri needs F1 reset in blunt Lando Norris comparison
Top 10 F1 results changed by backmarkers – the clashes
Ten years of Baku: Can F1 2026 bring back the fear factor?
Great debate: Which circuit should host the F1 2026 finale if the calendar has to change?
Italy’s next F1 world champion?
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments