Vettel passes on 2008 seat speculation

(GMM) Sebastian Vettel gave a cursory answer when he was asked if he might be a regular member of the formula one grid next year.

"We'll have to wait and see," the German teenager – who is jointly contracted to Red Bull's Dietrich Mateschitz – told Auto Motor und Sport on Monday.

"The season is still early."

Vettel, 19, stood in for Robert Kubica in the US grand prix but team boss Mario Theissen made it clear that BMW-Sauber's regular racer will be back in action as soon as the doctors give him a green light following his huge Montreal crash.

Vettel did a solid job at Indianapolis, but there was no hiding the fact that eighth place was a disappointment for the team that has been chasing down Ferrari in recent races.

Theissen, though, insisted: "Nick (Heidfeld) proved that we can hold the pace set by the top four cars.

"Now we have to get both cars over the finish at Magny Cours."