Dietrich Mateschitz, Red Bull CEO, says that Sebastian Vettel is not for sale.This according to a story at SpeedTV.com. Apparently F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has taken a keen interest in the career of the young German after he won the Italian Grand Prix last weekend.
Much speculation has been made of the Germans signing with Red Bull Racing for 2009 as the junior team Scuderia Toro Rosso has been outperforming the senior team as of late. Also, there remains some confusion as to if BMW has any long-term claim to Vettel after releasing him to Red Bull this year.
Irrespective, Bernie Ecclestone knows an F1 star when he sees one and Sebastian Vettel has all the earmarks of an up and coming superstar in the F1 world. Incredibly talented, fast, well spoken, mature, humble and professional. Vettel has several characteristics that current F1 superstar apparent, Lewis Hamilton, does not.
After Vettel’s performance at Monza, many have wondered if a move to a top team would not be more beneficial for his career instead of languishing in the mid-field at Red Bull next year with teammate Mark Webber. Apparently Bernie is willing to help make that happen:
“We will help him to achieve that,”
But…not so fast. There is another billionaire that has something to say about “helping” Vettel move to a top team. Enter Mr. Mateschitz:
“Sebastian has a contract with us,” he told the German newspaper Bild. “He is not for sale. With him, we want to attack the top teams and move to the top.”
I wonder which Billionaire will get his way? These two gentlmen know the value of the young German and the value of money. Who will be the first one to blink?
