Webber expecting big things at Red Bull.

Mark Webber has predicted that Red Bull can get amongst the best teams in Formula One from as early as 2007 when the Australian joins David Coulthard in the burgeoning team next season.

Having announced his departure from Williams and his subsequent switch to Red Bull over the period of a week, Webber has begun looking to what the future holds, with the team's expected ascent to prominence proving key to his decision to join what currently remains a mid-field squad.

Indeed, while Webber remains cautious about his chances for next year, he believes Red Bull have all the ingredients to be a team fighting for consistent points finishes and a top five championship position.

"I'm very confident Red Bull will be the most improved team next season," he told Reuters. "We are not going to win the world championship, I'm realistic but I am confident we can have a strong season, one which I am really looking forward to.

"Red Bull wants to win and whether that will happen next year could be a tall order, to be consistent points scorers is what we want. We could be in the top five next year, which would still be quite a hard challenge."

Although Webber will be joining Red Bull in its third season, his move comes as something of a homecoming for the 29-year-old having driven for its predecessor, Jaguar, until his move to Williams in 2005, with many of the teams personnel remaining.

Pivotal to the team's future success is likely to be the appointment of designer Adrian Newey, who's success with Williams and McLaren over the years stands the team in promising stead for the future.

However, speculation remains as to which engine Red Bull will use next year. Although Ferrari are insistent their deal with Red Bull stands, it is understood team boss Christian Horner is eager to secure another coup by attracting a supply of Renault V8 engines next season.

"Rest assured Red Bull will have a very good engine next year. We've got Adrian Newey on board and we will have no worries there. As we've seen from this season it's only one major part of what makes a car competitive."

Webber also revealed his deal came about just before the German Grand Prix, in a move orchestrated by manager Flavio Briatorie, allaying rumours that the Renault team manager was ever tempted to manoeuvre the Australian into his own team for next season.

"It was before Hockenheim I knew I would be going to Red Bull. Flavio gave me the minimum I could expect and I knew he would look after me and he's a man of his word. When Red Bull came for me they came pretty hard to the finish line and to tell you the truth I'm delighted to be with them."

Webber also denied rumours he would be switching to Red Bull before the climax of this season, insisting that he would like to honour his contract with Williams first.