Formula 1: Red Bull Racing dash Sebastian Vettel's seat hopes for next season with a 'definite no'

Red Bull have given “a definite no” to four times Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel’s hopes of driving for them next year, team boss Christian Horner said on Friday. The German, who is out of contract with Ferrari at the end of the season and facing an uncertain future, had said on Thursday he would say yes to a Red Bull drive if one was offered. “Obviously the topic has been raised, we had a brilliant time with Sebastien, he’ll forever be a part of our history, but we didn’t expect him to be on the market this year, and our commitment is to our existing drivers,”Horner told Sky F1 television at the Styrian Grand Prix.. “We think we have a great pairing in Max (Verstappen) and Alex (Albon), and we think that has great potential for the future as well, so unfortunately it’s not something that we’re going to be able to accommodate.” Asked if that was a “definite no” to Vettel being an option for next year, Horner replied: “That is a definite no I’m afraid.” “Sebastian is aware of that. It’s unusual for a four-time World Champion to be out of a drive at this point in the year so I guess he has got a couple of choices available to him, assuming Racing Point or a year out and re-evaluate the options in a year’s time.”