Red Bull would set its sights on F1’s other two top drivers - Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton - if Sebastian Vettel switched to Ferrari.
That is the claim of the energy drink company’s mogul Dietrich Mateschitz, responding to rumours German Vettel could seek a new challenge after achieving so much with Red Bull.
In a rare interview about F1, on the eve of Vettel probably securing his third consecutive drivers’ title, Mateschitz told Salzburger Nachrichten that the 25-year-old is "one of the three best drivers" on the grid.
Referring also to Hamilton and Alonso, Mateschitz said Vettel "is the youngest of the three, and definitely there is potential for further development.
"Perhaps he is near his zenith in terms of the speed, but with more experience he can certainly keep getting better and better," he insisted.
Mateschitz moved to play down rumours Vettel is toying with a switch to Ferrari.
"There are not only contracts, but he is bound to us as well through loyalty and friendship," he said.
"But that doesn’t exclude that he gets offers from other teams," Mateschitz admitted.
Fascinatingly, he even said he can understand Ferrari’s lure.
"If I was a driver, I would probably enjoy the thought of driving for Ferrari one day as well," said Mateschitz. "It’s not only natural, but quite legitimate.
"If he should ever leave us, we would wish him well, and then nothing would stop Alonso or Hamilton driving for us."