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HOCKENHEIM - One of the first pieces in next year's Formula One jigsaw fell into place yesterday with the announcement here that Sebastian Vettel will transfer from the energy drink magnate Dietrich Mateschitz's Toro Rosso team to his senior Red Bull Racing outfit.
The 21-year-old German will replace
David Coulthard, who announced at Silverstone earlier this month that he will retire at the end of this season.
The Red Bull Racing sporting director, Christian Horner, said: "We are delighted that Sebastian will be joining us next year.
"As he was already part of the Red Bull family, choosing him as Mark Webber's team-mate was not a difficult decision. Having only turned 21 at the last race and with only 17 grand prix starts to his name, he is still on a learning curve, but it is clear that he has plenty of ability and speed."
Vettel said: "It's always good to have an early decision on what you are doing next year. As a driver your target is always to be with the most competitive team possible and over the past couple of years Red Bull Racing has proved it has great potential, so this is a good move.
"I have been part of the Red Bull family for a long time and with its junior team since 2000.
"Throughout my career, they have offered me great support and, now, to drive for their senior Formula One team is a dream come true."
Horner would not be drawn on the length of Vettel's contract, and the German is believed to have an agreement with BMW Sauber which could take precedence beyond 2009.
He also declined to comment on rumours that Vettel's place at Toro Rosso may be taken next year by Bruno Senna, the GP2 driver who is the nephew of the late Brazilian world champion Ayrton Senna.
The major moves in the drivers' market are not likely to happen before the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in September, by which time Ferrari will expect their world champion Kimi Raikkonen to have made a decision about whether to retire or continue for another season.
If Raikkonen does call time on his career, his place will be taken by Fernando Alonso, who is in any case believed to be a Ferrari driver from 2010 onwards come what may.
If Raikkonen stays, Alonso could remain at Renault but is more likely to consider a one-year deal to partner Robert Kubica at BMW Sauber.
Rumours here link Nico Rosberg with a switch from Williams to McLaren alongside Lewis Hamilton, with the Englishman's current team-mate, Heikki Kovalainen, possibly returning to Renault.
- THE INDEPENDENT