Dietrich Mateschitz: 'Red Bull do not need Sebastian Vettel'

Red Bull mogul Dietrich Mateschitz has insisted that the team "don't need" world champion Sebastian Vettel.

The German driver announced his intentions to leave Red Bull last week at Suzuka, but billionaire Mateschitz has insisted that Vettel and Red Bull Racing are no longer compatible.

He told German news agency DPA: "Given Red Bull's handicap with the current (Renault) power unit and Mercedes' dominance, you don't need a four-time world champion who at best can be 'best of the rest'.

"We considered it neither just nor necessary to intervene, particularly since this switch brings huge financial savings.

"I also believe that the forthcoming switches will contribute a lot to the excitement of the next Formula One season."

Vettel has been replaced by 20-year-old Russian Daniil Kvyat, a product of the Red Bull academy.