Formula One ace Mark Webber has virtually given away the identity of his replacement at Red Bull Racing next year, suggesting during a post qualifying interview at this past weekend’s 2013 Belgian Grand Prix that fellow Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo will get the seat.

Asked who he would like to see race with Red Bull Racing alongside current world champion Sebastian Vettel from the 2014 season onward, Webber told Australian television station Channel 10: "The decision's made. We all know who it is. I'm happy with that decision.

"It's good for him and good for Australia."

Ricciardo currently drives for Red Bull Racing feeder team Scuderia Toro Rosso and has already been confirmed as one of the top contenders for the seat, along with fellow Toro Rosso driver Jean-Eric Vergne and Lotus’ Kimi Räikkönen. Jean-Eric Vergne is French while Räikkönen is Finnish, so the placement of either would not be good for Australia, as Webber hinted.

Ricciardo has since responded to Webber’s comments, saying that to his knowledge nothing has been confirmed yet.

Webber, as previously reported, is quitting F1 at the end of this season to join Porsche next year in its LMP1 campaign in the World Endurance Champion, which includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

A formal announcement on his replacement may be made as early as the 2013 Italian Grand Prix in two weeks. Stay tuned for an update.

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