Jul.22 (GMM) Mark Webber has hinted his latest talks with Red Bull are about guaranteeing equal status for 2012.

The Australian admits to ignoring team orders towards the end of the British grand prix, but revealed at the Nurburgring that he has cleared the air with boss Christian Horner.

Asked what he will be doing next season, Webber told reporters: "I should still be driving in F1, (and) not just the road car to get the groceries."

As for whether his talks with Red Bull are about ensuring he does not slip into a number 2 role to Sebastian Vettel, he admitted: "That's a very good question."

Last year, owner Dietrich Mateschitz indicated that team orders are not part of the Red Bull philosophy, but Webber hinted there has been a slight change.

"We are still free to race -- most of the time," said the 34-year-old.

"There are some questions that you guys need to ask Christian, which I cannot answer," added Webber.

One of those questions, however, is not whether Webber is already the number 2.

"He (Horner) guaranteed me it would have been the same situation the other way around, if Seb was closing in on me, he would have still shut the race down," he said.

Webber insists the Silverstone saga has had "zero impact" on his chances of staying next year. As for whether he wants to stay, he said: "I would say the answer is yes."

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version