Dietrich Mateschitz: Red Bull duo free to lock horns in 2011

Red Bull Racing owner Dietrich Mateschitz expects Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel will resume their on track rivalry in 2011.

Hitherto the happiest team in Formula One the atmosphere at Red Bull changed irrevocably following contact between Webber and Vettel at last year’s Turkish Grand Prix. Tensions between the two drivers continued to simmer throughout 2010.

Speaking to Autosport Mateschitz declared, “Sebastian is fully motivated, and Mark nothing less. They won’t exchange gifts. Therefore I expect a similar situation to last year. And they remain both free to race. We do not change our strategy.”

The Red Bull boss also expects to see Webber competing in F1 beyond the term of his current contract, which expires following the 2011 season.

“Why should he? He has a body of steel, and he is mentally in perfect shape. If he does not continue with us, he will be offered a contract somewhere else. He is a top driver, at the same level as Sebastian. They both are exceptional guys, and this includes characters,” he said.

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Red Bull Racing/Getty Images]