Formula 1: Champion Vettel agrees new deal

Vettel has been a part of the team since 2009, claiming 29 victories, 39 pole positions, and winning three successive titles since 2010.

Just over two years ago, in March 2011, Vettel agreed a new three-year deal up to and including 2014, with the latest extension adding one more year.

The latest move from Red Bull represents a statement of intent, and a further warning to Ferrari that the 25-year-old is not available under any circumstances.

Vettel has long been linked with Ferrari, and as recently as last summer the strong suggestion was the German had an agreement to join the Maranello marque from next year. But with Vettel on course for a fourth successive title – his third win of the season in Canada on Sunday saw him open a 36-point cushion over Alonso at the head of the drivers’ standings – the team have moved to tie him down.

Question marks now remain as to who will be Vettel’s team-mate, with Mark Webber seemingly in his final year at Red Bull.

Meanwhile, Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley can forgive Paul di Resta his expressions of anger given his pursuit of perfection. In Canada on Sunday, Di Resta again rounded on the team after another mistake compromised his qualifying for a second successive race following a similar error in Monaco. In Montreal, Di Resta again failed to make it out of Q1, repeating his 17th place on the grid following which he said: “It’s the fault of the team again and it’s just not good enough.”

Di Resta underlined his growing form and status by finishing ninth in Monaco and seventh in Montreal to push him up to eighth in the drivers’ standings.

Fernley said: “We don’t take offence. With Paul, what you see is what you get. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and when he’s not happy, you know he’s not happy. He’s looking for perfection all the time.”