Red Bull boss Christian Horner discusses who could replace Nico Rosberg at Mercedes
CHRISTIAN HORNER has ruled out Mercedes poaching any of his Red Bull drivers to replace Nico Rosberg for the 2017 season.
Christian Horner has warned Mercedes off poaching Carlos Sainz
Mercedes have found themselves looking for a new team-mate for Lewis Hamilton after Rosberg retired just days after winning the World Drivers’ Championship.
And the defending constructors’ champions are said to be casting their net wide with Red Bull drivers Carlos Sainz, Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen all linked with the empty seat.
But Red Bull team boss Horner was quick to dispel any rumours that he might allow his championship rivals to tempt one of his drivers away.
Nico Rosberg retired as world champion
Carlos Sainz has done a great job so it wouldn't make any sense to feed him to Mercedes
"Why would we do that?" Horner told the BBC.
"Carlos has done a great job.
“He is a Red Bull driver.
“We have invested in him to get him into F1 and they are all on long-term contracts so it wouldn't make any sense to feed one of your main opponents with one of your assets."
F1: Hamilton and Ricciardo bid their rival Rosberg farewell
Williams driver Valtteri Bottas is currently the front-runner for the vacancy after Mercedes reportedly had a £5million bid for him turned down but are willing to continue negotiations.
Manor Racing’s Pascal Wehrlein is also thought to be in the running despite concerns over his disappointing debut season in F1.
But Horner was quick to defend the youngster who was racing in one of the least-developed cars on the grid.
Valtteri Bottas has been uncompetitive in the Williams for much of this season
"You give these guys a chance," Horner added.
"Let's see what people can do in a front-running car.
"If [Mercedes] did take Wehrlein or Bottas, both are probably both capable of running right at the front, you just don't know until you give them the chance, which is what we did with Sebastian Vettel, and Daniel Ricciardo.
"A lot of people were saying we should take Kimi Raikkonen at the time we took Ricciardo.
“Until you give them the chance, you don't really get to see if they can cut it at the front."