Two weeks ago Mark Webber announced to quit as Red Bull Racing Formula 1 driver at the end of the current 2013 season. Lets pay a special tribute to Mark before I continue.
Races
207 (204 starts)
Championships
0
Wins
9
Podiums
37
Career points
935.5
Pole positions
11
Fastest laps
16
First race
2002 Australian Grand Prix
First win
2009 German Grand Prix
Last win
2012 British Grand Prix
Raced for : Minardi, Jaguar, BMW Williams, Williams and Red Bull.
Before racing for Red Bull, Mark managed to pick up one podium with Williams. With Red Bull he picked up 9 Race Wins, and 36 Podiums since 2007, and he could easily add to that before the end of the season!
In 2014, this seat will become available. Let's have a look at some possible outcomes.
Daniel Ricciardo (24) - 21 Career Points, 5 Retirements, Best Position: 7th
The Australian has been very consistent with his recent performances. He has slightly more experience then Vergne, but compared to other possibilities, it might not be the time to bring him up. It all depends on whether Red Bull want to push their young talent from their Toro Rosso team.
Jean-Eric Vergne (23) - 29 Career Points, 7 Retirements, Best Position: 6th
When Vergne is on form, he is really quick. However he seems to run into trouble more then Ricciardo, and his qualifying performances are not as strong. This is perhaps nothing more but inexperience. His team mate had an extra season, racing in a much slower HRT, therefore he has been more able to adapt to the Toro Rosso.
Both options are definite possibilities. They want somebody who could learn from Vettel, but they would surely be a "Number Two" driver. It could become really competitive if either of the Toro Rosso drivers adapt to the race winning car in the coming years to challenge Vettel.
Let's move onto a much more exciting combination. Vettel/Raikkonen.
Kimi Raikkonen (33)
Races
186 (184 starts)
Championships
1 (2007)
Wins
20
Podiums
73
Career points
884
Pole positions
16
Fastest laps
38
The "Iceman" is a good friend of Vettel off the track, but could they co-exist in the same team?
It would be similar to the situation Alonso and Hamilton had in McLaren. Two World Champions in the same team, fighting it out over the campaign, it may end up in one of the most intriguing team-mate battles in the history of F1.
Red Bull know that Mercedes has a strong lineup with Hamilton and Rosberg, and by recruiting Raikkonen onboard, Red Bull may be in a much stronger position to dominate for years to come. With two of the quickest drivers on the grid in their team, it would be almost impossible to beat them in the Constructors, because they are extremely consistent in terms of no retirements.
In a pure business sense, it would be risky, but all round a huge boost to the team and its success so far. Vettel may have to respect his team mate a lot, he won't be asking him to "get out of the way". Kimi has a no-nonsense attitude, and that is probably why Vettel and Kimi are friends, they are pretty alike in a number of ways.
If Red Bull sign Kimi, the other teams would be in horror, and so would any Ferrari/Mclaren/Mercedes/Lotus fans. Unstoppable duo.
Let's move onto some other possible candidates.
Paul Di Resta (27) - 109 Career Points, 3 Retirements, Best Position: 4th (x2)
Young Paul is a driver who very early on made his mark. He outperforms the car on a regular basis, and as of late, has been very close to podiums.
He raced hard with Hamilton in Silverstone, and showed that he has what it takes to battle with the big names up front. He is maturing as a race driver every race he enters. You can tell his frustration at times. He wants to get some glory, he wants to begin adding milestones to his career, and without a doubt, if he could get into a Red Bull, he would become a real threat for podiums on a regular basis.
Nico Hulkenburg (25) - 91 Career Points, 1 Pole Position, 1 Fastest Lap, 7 Retirements, Best Position: 4th
Although nobody has mentioned this man in terms of the seat, personally I wouldn't overlook him.
He is ready to jump from one team to another as it suits. Nico took a risk by joining Sauber, and it ended up being the wrong decision. He has put in some great results for different teams, and even lead the race in two separate Brazilian GPs.
Being a young German like Vettel, a combination of the two could be totally natural. Hulkenburg would be the number two driver, but I am sure Vettel would be more willing to mentor a fellow German driver then anybody else.
Let's have a look at the final possibility.
Jenson Button (33)
Races
239 (236 starts)
Championships
1 (2009)
Wins
15
Podiums
49
Career points
1024
Pole positions
8
Fastest laps
8
Jenson Buttons career has seen many ups and downs. He went through a really bad time with Honda, and then out of nowhere, Brawn GP gave him a super car that would dominate the field in 2009. With McLaren, he never quite posed a threat to the title like Hamilton did. When Jenson has a great car underneath him, he will deliver consistently, and his wet weather pace is something even Vettel could be jealous of. He is somewhat similar to Webber, in the fact that he will race hard, but has never been as quick as other World Champions like Raikkonen or Alonso.
So now he sits in a McLaren team that not only lost Hamilton, but all the pace they are used too. Surely he would have to be tempted to move on? I am certain that Jenson would make a suitable team mate for Vettel, they would be very professional with one another.
My Choices
Personally, I would like to show who I believe should get Webber's seat and why.
1. Jenson Button - He's british, and so am I! Also I think his style and composure would help the team a lot.
2. Kimi Raikkonen - Just for the fun! A Raikkonen vs Vettel battle for the World title in the same car would be really exciting.
3. Nico Hulkenburg - He has a wise head on his shoulders. Nico would probably adapt to the team better then anybody, and very keen to learn and pick up podiums.
4. Paul Di Resta - Paul dropped under Nico because of his frustration, however he is very determined. I believe he is better then the Toro Rosso guys.
5. Daniel Ricciardo - He is more consistent then Vergne and that is what you need. Also has slightly more experience, but probably not enough to adapt to a Red Bull right away.
6. Jean-Eric Vergne - I would be disappointed with this choice. Vergne is too inexperienced, and although he has shown some quality, it's not his time yet.
What are your choices? Comment with yours below!
