Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has insisted that the team was never interested in a deal with 2007 F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen, as the caffeinated team closes on a new contract with championship leader Mark Webber.
The early season rumour mill had been dominated by the suggestion that Webber could be let go by the team at the end of his contract following the 2010 season, with Raikkonen lined up for an F1 return.
The Finn's WRC drive with the Citroen Junior team is funded by Red Bull, who sponsor the team.
But it now looks likely that the team will keep hold of Webber for 2011, despite rumours linking the Spanish and Monaco GP winner with a move to Ferrari in place of Felipe Massa.
And Horner has insisted that, despite the rumours, the team was never seriously considering Raikkonen for a 2011 deal.
"No. Kimi has committed himself to rallying, and he seems to be enjoying that environment," the Englishman smugged when asked if Raikkonen had been considered for an F1 return in 2011.
"We have been happy with the job that Mark is doing, so why would you change?"
He added that no deal had yet been signed with Webber, but he did not expect the negotiations to take too long. The deal is expected to be a one year extension to the Australian's current contract.
"When we sit down and talk about it, it will be very straightforward," Horner guessed, "Mark is an important member of the team, he enjoys driving for the team and we have a great balance between our two drivers.
"So, it is the usual thing – if it is not broken, don't fix it."
He added that: "I think that it is clear where our intent is, it is clear where his intent is. It is just a matter of sorting out the paperwork with his management, but in the coming weeks I am sure that will be sorted."
On the subject of whether the one year contract deal would cause a problem for Webber, he replied: "None at all. I think that Mark is not your normal guy.
"I think he wants to be in a situation where he can be competitive, and he is not looking to string out his career beyond where he believes he has the desire and competition.
"Obviously when a driver is approaching their mid-30s, it makes sense to take things one year at a time. He is certainly more than comfortable with that, as our we."
The likelihood of Webber staying with Red Bull means that there may well be very few changes in the top teams for 2010. At the Turkish GP weekend, Ferrari have also hinted that they will keep Felipe Massa on for 2011, despite speculation that the Brazilian might be replaced by Renault's Robert Kubica.
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