Month: August 2011

Mark Webber’s Formula One career will extend into an eleventh season after he re-signed with Red Bull Racing for the 2012 season. The one-year contract extension is a perfect way for Mark to celebrate his 35th birthday today.

“I want to continue racing at the top in Formula One so it’s no-brainer to remain at Red Bull Racing for another year,” Webber said. “My motivation to achieve the best results possible both for myself and the team is still very high.

“Over the past five years, we have worked hard and proved that we can design and build a competitive and championship-winning car, and I’m looking forward to putting the car and myself on the limit again each and every race weekend in 2012.”

UPDATE: Pics of Mark’s birthday celebrations have been added below.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, Mark Webber says a new deal to drive with Red Bull Racing in 2012 is “not far away”.

Mark says things are moving in the right direction, but when asked by Autosport if a new contract is a formality he replied, “It will be cheeky for me to say yes. My decision has to be taken into account although the team’s decision is pretty clear. Obviously Dietrich has been great, as have all the boys and everyone at the team. All will become clear shortly.”

Speaking broadly about his longer term future and his partnership in a GP3 team with Christan Horner, Webber said, “The GP3 operation is going well, so it is enjoyable—but I will not be immersing myself whenever that day comes. I still really enjoy the car, and there is a huge chance I will be racing in F1 next year… so that decision will come in a few years.”

Reading between the lines it sounds to us as though the door to the exit on Mark’s career with Red Bull is, if not open, slightly ajar.

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Getty Images]

David Coulthard has become the first person to drive a Formula One car on the new Circuit of The Americas track in Austin, Texas. Yes, that’s it there in all it’s dirty and bumpy glory.

The promotion has certainly proved to be a nice publicity stunt, gaining media attention around the world. But seeing as we’re still over 12 months away from the 2012 United States Grand Prix, it also gave us a nice preview of the new circuit.

The 5.47km track layout has been known for some time, however this is the first opportunity we’ve had at seeing the dramatic elevation changes in the course.

Tavo Hellmund, CoTA Chairman says, “We’re going to build the closest thing to a traditional old school Grand Prix track from the 1950s and 60s. With the elevation, with the fast corners [and] with the technical corners.”

Sounds promising. (Video after the break.)