This description goes for McLaren's team principal Martin Whitmarsh also, who criticized Vettel heavily after his incredible mistake in the Belgian Grand Prix. While struggling to keep the pace with McLaren's Jenson Button, Vettel lost control of his car and stuck his front wing in the Brit's gearbox, ruining his race.
“Under pressure this year, Sebastian is making just too many mistakes,” Whitmarsh was quoted as saying in a recent interview with Germany's Sport Bild.
Nevertheless, the McLaren boss admitted his team had targeted the German driver in the past, shortly after Fernando Alonso left the boat at the end of 2007. Back then, the Red Bull officials decided not to let Vettel go – he was driving for Toro Rosso at the time – and time proved they were right. However, McLaren have not let go of the idea and admitted they might give it another push in a few years time.
“I am open and honest enough to admit it. Sebastian is one of the great and promising talents, and we at McLaren wanted to have him. We were not able to sign him at that time. If he continues to develop so fantastically, then at the end of his contract I will try once again to get him,” added Whitmarsh about the German whose contract with Red Bull ends in 2012.
2012 will see plenty of drivers end their current deals with the teams they are racing for, including McLaren's Jenson Button. So, unless an extension will be signed through the next year, the drivers market will be open and quite interesting two years from now.
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