Success could force Vettel into RB stay

[Dare]

In this F1 world of broken contracts I think this clause
has little meaning.



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     A clause in World Champion Sebastian Vettel's contract means that if he achieves certain performance prerequisites he is locked into a deal with Red Bull.

There has been much speculation that Vettel would look for a move to Ferrari in 2012, with the Italian team seen has the pinnacle of the sport by many drivers.

However, an editorial in the Red Bull-owned Speed Week has revealed that Red Bull would have an 'option' on Vettel if he wins a certain number of races or finishes in the top three in the Championship.

While this most likely to put the team in a strong position the option works in the same manner for the driver, with Vettel able to exercise the clause should he wish to remain with the team.

Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull's special adviser, confirmed the presence of the clause.

"There is an option based on the results," said Marko.

"We will not just let a top driver go," he added.


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[Jericoke]

If he really wants to go, no point in forcing him to stick around.

All the same, I don't really see any evidence that Vettel wants to leave RBR:  they've got the fastest car, and he's got status as #1. 

I suppose when Ferrari offers to double his salary, he'd be foolish to turn it down though.

[John S]

If RBR do supply Seb with a front running car again this year it will surely need a bust up of some sort to prevent him jumping at the chance of another season with them. He's been a Red Bull driver both as man & boy.

Anyway I can't see Vettel going to Ferrari if Alonso is still in the numero uno spot, if Seb really is disatisfied with RBR then McLaren or Mercedes would be a better target to aim at.

I do reckon though that Massa will be under the spotlight at Ferrari this year and if he trips up, even just a bit, then Sutil may be a much more likely target for the Maranello team, even Alonso would be comfortable with that scenario IMO.

[Scott]

I'm with you John, I don't see why Vettel would leave RBR in the first place.  Unless Ferrari manages to poach Newey, Vettel would be foolish to leave, especially while Alonso is there.  I also suspect that if Ferrari offered to double his salary, RBR would counter it at least.  They've gotten a ton of marketing out of both WC's, they won't give that up easily. 

[Williamsfan]

I think Vettel will stay with Red Bull whilst they are successful and won't consider leaving for a while, at least until Ferrari offer an even more competitive car probably without Alonso in the other seat. 

However, the JB contract disputes between BAR and Williams show that these contracts do hold a lot of strength and only a lot of Ferrari cash will see Vettel make any move whilst there are ties in place. 

[Jericoke]

I'm with you John, I don't see why Vettel would leave RBR in the first place.  Unless Ferrari manages to poach Newey, Vettel would be foolish to leave, especially while Alonso is there.  I also suspect that if Ferrari offered to double his salary, RBR would counter it at least.  They've gotten a ton of marketing out of both WC's, they won't give that up easily. 

I didn't start following F1 until 1996 (Jacques Villeneuve's rookie season, naturally), so I missed Schumacher's years at Benneton.  He left a team as a double WDC, to go to a situation where he had no hope of winning a championship. 

Why?

Certainly going to Ferrari today is far less risky than it was in 1996.  What compelled Schumacher to give up a good thing?  Would Vettel do the same thing as his hero?  (I assume MS is Vettel's hero...)

[Scott]

Easy, he went with Brawn and co. and a guarantee from Todt that they could have everything they need - plus about 5x the salary he got at Benetton.  Risk?  What risk?

Vettel would have to take Newey along to be sure, and I don't think that would happen.

[Jericoke]

Easy, he went with Brawn and co. and a guarantee from Todt that they could have everything they need - plus about 5x the salary he got at Benetton.  Risk?  What risk?

Vettel would have to take Newey along to be sure, and I don't think that would happen.

Why wouldn't Newey go to Ferrari?  If all F1 drivers secretly (or openly) crave the billion fans that Ferrari provides, why wouldn't Newey want to create the most famous F1 car of all time?

I'm sure the idea of Brawn or Todt at Ferrari might've seemed odd before it happened.

[lkjohnson1950]

It was obvious that the Combo of Brawn, Todt, and MS was special. Ferrari was not very competitive in those days and decided to open the deep pockets and win at any cost. MS went first. and spent a couple of years losing, but once Brawn and Todt joined him they built a dynasty. The combination of almost unlimited funds, a staff that was slowly and carefully hand picked, and I think perhaps the most important thing, Fiorano, a fully instrumented test facility available 24/7/365 with mega terabytes of data available for comparison and MS willing to test almost continuously. I think they virtually tested the opposition into submission.

Lonny