Prior to morning practice on Friday at the Valencia circuit, the Red Bull energy drink-owned team announced that Sebastian Vettel has extended his contract with Red Bull Racing until the end of 2011.

Previously, the 22-year-old German driver's deal was set to expire at the end of next season. In a short media statement, Red Bull said the new contract also features "an option for 2012".

Whitmarsh says Alonso heading for Ferrari in 2010
Martin Whitmarsh on Friday morning admitted that it is common paddock knowledge that Fernando Alonso is moving to Ferrari next season.

"We all know that Fernando Alonso's move to Ferrari will have a ripple effect on other teams," said Whitmarsh on BBC Five Live at Valencia. "It opens up the driver market.”

"We (McLaren) are not in talks with any other drivers at the moment, but are obliged to have the most competitive cars and drivers that we can," the Briton added.

Hours later, a spokesman for Ferrari on Friday denied the claim.

The spokesman told the BBC: "He can say what he wants, there is no Fernando/Ferrari move. Things can happen and not happen. But you cannot talk about any Fernando/Ferrari move. We have two drivers with a contract until the end of 2010. We are not under pressure to change anything," he added.

Natacha Gachnang

Adrian Campos admits de la Rosa top driver target
New formula one team boss Adrian Campos has admitted that Pedro de la Rosa, currently McLaren's third driver, is his top target to front the Spanish outfit's first race lineup in 2010.

"The objective is that Pedro is the official driver but until today the negotiations are complicated," Campos is quoted as saying by Radio Marca.

"Still it is not decided. It is necessary to also consider drivers like Kubica and Piquet."

Campos added that the Russian GP2 driver Vitaly Petrov is "also a possibility", and amid speculation about the F2 driver Natacha Gachnang said it is "my intention to have a woman driver in the team".




Photo Credit : Red Bull - Getty Images