Red Bull Racing has given the strongest indication yet that it is ready to renew Mark Webber’s contract for 2011.

In the wake of his dominance in Spain and Monaco, chiefs of the Austrian-owned team indicated they are keen to keep the 33-year-old Australian alongside Sebastian Vettel next year.

But Red Bull’s motor sport advisor Dr Helmut Marko signalled recently that joint championship leader Webber’s back-to-back wins could have an effect on the “salary negotiations”.

Ahead of the Turkish grand prix, team principal Christian Horner hinted to Germany’s Bild-Zeitung newspaper that Red Bull is ready to simply extend Webber’s current deal.

“If we sat down together on the subject of a contract extension, it would be a pretty short conversation,” said the Briton.

Red Bull would like to keep Mark Webber on board for the 2011 season.

After the Australian driver commandingly won the past two grands prix from pole position and took the lead of the world championship, it is being reported that Red Bull would like to extend his expiring contract.

Already under contract for next year is 33-year-old Webber’s younger and highly rated teammate Sebastian Vettel.

“It is our desire to continue with Vettel and Webber,” team owner Dietrich Mateschitz’s motor sport adviser Dr Helmut Marko is quoted on Monday by Austria’s APA news agency.

Marko indicated that Webber’s run of top form has motivated Red Bull to keep him.

“It is important that both drivers are at a high level of performance, with each one pushing the other to excellence.

“They must be going to the limit, for themselves but subsequently for the car,” added the Austrian former grand prix driver.

Marko acknowledged that the sort of form being shown by Webber could drive up his contract price.

“Of course, the management uses it for salary negotiations.  But we know what he is worth to us.”

(GMM)