Vettel going nowhere: Marko

Sebastian Vettel would be “stupid” to drive for Ferrari while Fernando Alonso is with the team, according to Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko.

Following his maiden world championship triumph last November, speculation has linked Vettel with Ferrari at some point in the future.

Marko, right-hand man to billionaire owner Dietrich Mateschitz, believes Vettel would not want to pit himself against Alonso, who has effectively become Ferrari’s number one driver.

“It is a natural thing that a racing driver dreams of Ferrari and Ferrari looks at a great driver like Sebastian,” Marko told German newspaper Bild.

“He is smart enough to know the circumstances would have to be right, and he is not going to change as long as Fernando Alonso is still there. He would be stupid wouldn’t he?”

Marko also believes the name of Ferrari would not be enough to tempt the young German, adding: “We are the world championship-winning team.

“While we offer Sebastian a package that is better than the others, he is not going to go elsewhere just because of someone’s image. Just for the legend of Ferrari, Sebastian will not leave us.”

Vettel clinched the title in dramatic circumstances last season, beating Alonso and Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber in the final race in Abu Dhabi.

Marko sees no reason why the 23-year-old cannot go on to defend his crown, in particular if the team can again improve on reliability.

“Last year Sebastian lost 66 points because of mechanical problems, which were virtually all given to Fernando Alonso,” Marko added.

“If we can overcome those problems and not have bad luck, then we will defend the title. Then there is Sebastian himself, the world champion. He is a year more mature and is fully back on track.”