Mark Webber has hinted his latest talks with Red Bull are about guaranteeing equal status for 2012.
The Australian admits to ignoring team orders towards the end of the British grand prix, but revealed at the Nurburgring that he has cleared the air with boss Christian Horner.
Asked what he will be doing next season, Webber told reporters: "I should still be driving in F1, (and) not just the road car to get the groceries."
As for whether his talks with Red Bull are about ensuring he does not slip into a number 2 role to Sebastian Vettel, he admitted: "That’s a very good question."
Last year, owner Dietrich Mateschitz indicated that team orders are not part of the Red Bull philosophy, but Webber hinted there has been a slight change.
"We are still free to race — most of the time," said the 34-year-old.
"There are some questions that you guys need to ask Christian, which I cannot answer," added Webber.
One of those questions, however, is not whether Webber is already the number 2.
"He (Horner) guaranteed me it would have been the same situation the other way around, if Seb was closing in on me, he would have still shut the race down," he said.
Webber insists the Silverstone saga has had "zero impact" on his chances of staying next year. As for whether he wants to stay, he said: "I would say the answer is yes."