Ferrari set to offer Webber one-year deal

AUSTRALIAN Formula One star Mark Webber has firmed as a potential replacement for the struggling Felipe Massa at Ferrari next year.

AUSTRALIAN Formula One star Mark Webber has firmed as a potential replacement for the struggling Felipe Massa at Ferrari next year.

Webber will replace Massa in a one-year deal, according to a Spanish report.

The seven-time grand prix winner is out of contract at Red Bull next year but wants to remain in a competitive team.

Red Bull is keen to promote either Webber's compatriot Daniel Ricciardo or Ricciardo's Torro Rosso teammate Jean-Eric Vergne.

The young guns are in a shoot-out for Webber's seat but Red Bull could face a dilemma if the veteran outpoints world champion Sebastian Vettel through the season.

Rumours about Massa's departure from Ferrari have been persistent during the past 18 months and Webber has entered the picture, according to Spain's El Confidencial, because of his "great relationship" with its lead driver, Fernando Alonso.

In the long term, it is believed Ferrari will sign young Mexican Sergio Perez, who has performed brilliantly for the Ferrari-engined Sauber team this year.

But it is understood they want Perez to have at least another year's experience before stepping up, increasing the chances of Webber being signed as a stop-gap driver.

Meanwhile, after an unpredictable start to the season, with four different winners from the four races staged, Red Bull is expecting the trend to continue.

Team principal Christian Horner does not see Vettel's thrilling win over Kimi Raikkonen's Lotus in Bahrain last month as a resurgence of the dominance that gave Red Bull the past two F1 titles.

"I think this season is going to ebb and flow," Horner said. "I am sure with this championship, with 16 races to go, we are going to see a lot more variation."

AAP