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Mercedes Wanted to Sign Vettel Only in 2009

Mercedes motorsport director Norbert Haug insisted that the German carmaker did not attempt to poach reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel before the 23-year old signed his extension with Red Bull this year. In fact, according to Haug, Merc's first and only offer made out to Vettel was in 2009.

Back then, Haug and Mercedes' partners McLaren were trying to set up a “Dream Team” by signing Vettel alongside 2008 F1 champion Lewis Hamilton.

He (Vettel) got the (Mercedes) offer in 2009,” admitted Red Bull's motorsport director Dr Helmut Marko in a joint interview with Haug for Sport Bild newspaper.

Right. Since then, there was no more (offers),” Haug continued. “Red Bull would have made a big mistake not to secure him for the long term. They are able to offer him the very best equipment at the moment and we're not quite there.

At the time, Vettel was making his progression from Scuderia Toro Rosso to Red Bull Racing, where he was to replace veteran driver David Coulthard. Since trying to sign the German racer failed, McLaren had to settle for extending Heikki Kovalainen's stay at Woking for another season.

Before Vettel signed his 3-year extension with Red Bull this year, several rumors had surfaced in the media about his potential switch to Ferrari. The Austrian organization moved quickly to secure his services for the long term however, and sealed his stay at Milton Keynes for until 2015.
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