Asked whether Raikkonen, who won the drivers’ title when he was at Ferrari
in 2007, would constitute a step up from the current driver line-up, Horner
admitted: “Kimi would have to be an option if he were to be available.”
Red Bull have previously considered Jenson
Button as a potential partner for Vettel, but Horner said the McLaren
driver was not in the frame this time.
“I think Jenson is an asset to any team,” Horner said. “Jenson’s a class act,
as a team player, a human being, a driver – he’s done a great job in his
career. But he’s not on our radar because he’s not available.”
Raikkonen, though, would be available and Horner argued that Red Bull’s
culture would allow a driver such as the Finn, who has a famous aversion to
corporate and media work, to thrive.
“Our focus has always been based on what they’re doing in the car,” he said.
“Red Bull is a great environment for any driver – perhaps a bit more relaxed
than some of the more corporate teams. Our focus is to get the best out of
them as drivers and athletes and not bog them down with other clutter.”
Vettel, who remains on course for a fourth straight drivers’ title, said that
he would have no issue lining up alongside Raikkonen if that was what the
team decided. “I think nobody could have a problem with Kimi as a team-mate,
except for Sergio Pérez!” he joked.
Raikkonen made headlines after last month’s Monaco Grand Prix, where he and
Pérez clashed on track, by remarking that someone should punch the Mexican
in the face to teach him a lesson.
Meanwhile, the fallout over the illegal tyre test carried out by Pirelli and Mercedes
last month has failed to die down, with Horner adamant that Mercedes’
punishment – a reprimand and a ban from the forthcoming young driver test –
“did not match the crime”.