Dietrich Mateschitz: “Webber also in the running for the 2012 title”

Dietrich Mateschitz from to Mark Webber equal status with Hag as already reported previously.

After coming close to the title in 2010, the Australian was outclassed in 2011 by his German teammate.

However, Red Bull owner Mateschitz told the Kleine Zeitung newspaper that the team's policy would not change for 2012 either.

“Our policy has not changed — there will be no team orders, both drivers will start from scratch.”

When asked which of the two drivers could be fighting in 2012, the Austrian billionaire replied: “Today it is impossible to make a prediction but why not Webber too? I'm curious to see how difficult it will be for Vettel to defend his dominance."

Beyond 2012, however, Webber does not have a contract and Mateschitz confesses "our goal is to promote one of our young drivers".

The Austrian also admitted that with the rule change anything is possible but he expects Newey's new creation to keep pace with the others.

“Our opponents copied us a lot last year and in the end our advantage was reduced. But at the last race we were still a little ahead of the others."

Furthermore he also said that based on the tests he cannot yet say whether the RB8 is the better car or not.

“The tests are not very indicative. Everyone goes around with their own objectives and plans and others with different criteria."

Stefano Rifici