Webber 'joining RBR at right time'.

Mark Webber has claimed that he will join Red Bull Racing at a key time in its development, and is keen to add to the potential of the Milton Keynes-based team in 2007.

The Australian, despite being linked to Renault since his decision to quit Williams went public last week, will join David Coulthard in the RBR line-up, as sponsor Red Bull eschews its queue of young talent in exchange for a second established F1 name. For Webber, the move marks a return to the core of people who made up former employer Jaguar Racing, which was acquired by Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz at the same time as the Aussie left for Williams.

"After I left Jaguar Racing at the end of the 2004 season, and discovered that Mr Mateschitz was taking over the team, I said that I felt the team had been placed in very good hands and had an assured future," Webber commented, "As a team, it seems to be very realistic and knows the challenge that lies ahead. I hope to bring good
experience to the team and to assist it by being a fast and consistent driver and scoring as many points as possible."

With Coulthard having already notched up the team's first podium finish this season, and Adrian Newey having left McLaren to design the RB3, Red Bull Racing continues to present a more attractive opportunity than either the Stewart or Jaguar teams that preceded it. With speculation that its current supply of Ferrari engines could be replaced with Renault V8s for 2007 - a decision that could be linked to the arrival of Flavio Briatore-managed Webber - the team appears poised to take another step forward in its third season.

"It's clear that the team is very hungry for long-term success," Webber continued, "It has a very talented group of personnel and there seems to be a real sense of team spirit and unity. I believe I'm joining the team at exactly the right time for success in the future.

"I hope that, with Red Bull Racing, I can have my best F1 season to date and believe that we can be very, very strong together. I'm looking forward to some great times with David and the rest of the team."