Webber likely to end career at Red Bull

Mark Webber insists he is keeping his options open for next year but admitted it was unlikely he would leave Red Bull for another team.

Webber is on a rolling year-by-year contract with the team and it was about this time last year, after two victories in Spain and Monaco, that he signed up for 2011. But he said the situation is different this time around and a decision would not be dependent on results.

"It's a bit harder," he told reporters on Thursday. "So whether it ends this year or I go again next year, it doesn't depend on results. Results will be fine. It depends on how I feel."

Webber played down the likelihood of driving for another team in 2012 after stories last week that he might look elsewhere.

"I've three options: stay here, stop or drive somewhere else - which is probably unlikely," Webber added. "I am obviously in good contact with the team, and every year we've done the same. It's obviously a lot down to how I feel about things and we'll see how we feel later in the year. We haven't had too many discussions of yet, but obviously in the next few months things will start."

He said moving from Williams to Red Bull in 2007 had been a key moment in his career and, hinting that he was keen to stay at bit longer, added: "There have been a lot of things that have happened in the last few years that have been big highlights for me, sensational moments. I hope I can add to those in the next few years and go from there. There are still a lot of big boxes to tick."

Source: ESPNF1

Still no number 1 status for Webber at Red Bull

With only four races to run after Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix, Red Bull appears no closer to making championship leader Mark Webber its number 1 bet for the world championship.

The Australian, 24 points ahead of Sebastian Vettel, has struggled relative to his front row-sitting teammate in Singapore, qualifying three paces behind the sister RB6.

"We have two drivers competing for the world championship and we will continue supporting them until for one of them it is not mathematically and practically possible for them to win the championship," team boss Christian Horner said in Singapore.

But Webber, 34, answered "yes" after a long pause when asked by British television BBC if he would accept preferred status for the balance of the season.

"For me it's an unique opportunity that I might never get again," he also said in an interview with Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.

"But I can't yet say 'Hey Seb, let me have this opportunity because you might have the chance for another ten years or more'," added Webber.

At the same time, he concedes that - despite some earlier ructions within the Austrian camp - Red Bull would be happy if he wins the title.

"It was rumoured that Helmut (Marko) would prefer Vettel, because they might have a closer relationship. But he would be very happy if I won the world championship today," the Australian insisted.

"If we did it, everyone would have a headache from the party, no matter which of us is champion. The team situation is completely neutral," added Webber.

He also played down rumours he is disaffected at Red Bull, revealing that when he decides to stop driving, he will probably continue to work with the energy drinks company.

"What Red Bull did when I broke my leg was impressive and I'll never forget it," he said.

"They backed me when I was totally in the shit. Yes, maybe we can continue to do something together," added Webber, who is under contract only until the end of 2011.

Source: Motorsport