Sebastian Vettel signs new Red Bull contract

(GETTY IMAGES)

Sebastian Vettel has today pledged his future to Red Bull Racing by signing a three-year contract extension.

The Formula One world champion previously had a deal for this year and an option for next season.

Although recently linked with a potential move to Ferrari for 2012, the 23-year-old German will now remain with Red Bull through to the end of 2014.

Last season Vettel captured his first world title in dramatic circumstances.

He had not led the championship at any stage going into the final race in Abu Dhabi, but after clinching his 10th pole position of the season at the Yas Marina circuit, Vettel went on to take victory - his third in the final four races - and with it the title.

Such success naturally resulted in talk linking him with Ferrari over the winter, with Vettel himself recently conceding he would one day love to drive for the Maranello marque.

However, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner stated that as long as his team could continue to provide Vettel with a winning car, then he believed there was no reason he would not want to stay.

Following pre-season testing, Red Bull again appear to have the edge on their rivals, with Vettel a favourite to retain his crown.

If he did so, it would make him only the ninth driver in F1 history to achieve the feat.