By Jonathan Legard and Andrew Benson



Mark Webber will stay at Red Bull next year, team boss Christian Horner says.

The world championship leader is out of contract at the end of the year and is planning to spend the next few weeks deciding on his future.

Horner said: "When we sit down and talk about it, it will be straightforward. If it's not broken why fix it? It's clear where our and his intent is.

"It's just a matter of sorting out the paperwork with his management. In the coming weeks that will be sorted."

The Australian, 33, heads into this weekend's Turkish Grand Prix leading the world championship after consecutive wins in Spain and Monaco.

He is one of two drivers - the other being Renault's Robert Kubica - linked with a move to Ferrari following speculation about the future of Brazilian Felipe Massa, although Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has told BBC Sport that he expects Massa to stay on next season.

Webber will consider his F1 future but has publicly said he is happy at Red Bull.

He joined the team in 2007, when it was not competitive, and has stuck with it as it emerged as F1's leading force.

ANDREW BENSON BLOG What has turned Webber from a quick and aggressive but sometimes inconsistent driver into a man who now appears to have become a consistent front-runner? And can he maintain his form?



This year the team are dominating the championship. Webber is tied on points with team-mate Sebastian Vettel, but classed as the leader because he has won more races, and the two have been on pole position for all six races so far.

Horner said: "Mark is not your normal guy. He wants to be in a situation where he can be competitive.

"He's not looking to string out his career beyond where he believes he has the desire and competition.

"When a driver is approaching their mid-30s you take things one year at a time and he's more than comfortable with that as are we."

Webber said: "It's nice to be in the team after all the work we put in during those tough years, even when I first arrived at Red Bull.

"You are always hopeful that you get an opportunity to drive a car which is very competitive.

"We know that it's an important part of the job but also as a driver you don't hang around this business that long if you're not performing either."

Vettel, known to be a target for Mercedes, is under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2011, with an option to stay for 2012.

Horner dismissed talk of 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen returning to F1 with Red Bull next year.

The Finn quit F1 over the winter for the world rally championship, where he drives a Red Bull-sponsored Citroen.

Horner said: "Kimi has committed himself to rallying and seems to be enjoying that environment.

"So there's never really been any discussion We've been happy with the job Mark's been doing so why would you change?"