Red Bull Manager Happy to End Vettel Rumors

Making sure that your driver is feeling comfortable with himself and his squad prior to a Formula 1 campaign, especially when you're dealing with a reigning world champion, is an important preparation element when it comes to how a team approaches a new season. And the guys at Red Bull certainly know that all too well, as they have just extended Sebastian Vettel's deal with the team until the end of 2014.

Talking to the BBC about his driver's recent contract extension, Red Bull manager Christian Horner admitted delight over getting to end all those rumors linking Vettel to a place with Ferrari and Mercedes.

In recent months, several media in Italy and Germany have hinted that Vettel is close to making his dream of racing for Ferrari a reality, especially since his contract with Red Bull was to expire at the end of this season. With all that paddock talk over, the 23-year old can now fully focus on his title defense in 2011, rather that departure rumors, argued Horner.

“It's good to have it done and tidied up prior to the beginning of the season - rumors had already started about other teams,” said Horner. “We were keen to take away that distraction and concentrate on the racing.”

Like Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, Horner also revealed that the talks about a contract extension with Vettel went down smooth, especially since the German has benefited from Red Bull backing for the past 10 years of his racing career.

“He's been with Red Bull since 1998, so it was a logical thing to do. It was a straightforward and quick discussion,” added the Red Bull manager. “Sebastian feels very comfortable within the team and the team feels very comfortable with him. We started to talk about it earlier in the year and it came together quickly.”