Mark Webber threatened to re-ignite speculation about his manager Flavio Briatore on Tuesday, as he staged a conference call for reporters.

The Australian driver, who is moving from Williams to Red Bull in 2007, was asked about earlier rumours that were linking him with the vacant Renault seat alongside Giancarlo Fisichella next year.

It is now expected that Heikki Kovalainen will grab departing Fernando Alonso’s drive, and 29-year-old Webber said: ”I’ve got a good idea what is going on (with Renault), but maybe you should be asking Flavio what he’s doing next season. ”

Briatore, also the Renault Team Principal, has not yet announced whether or not he will still be leading the Enstone-based outfit beyond this year, despite speculation of a likely new one-year deal.

Webber, meanwhile, told Australian television Network Ten last Sunday that he would not be following in Jacques Villeneuve’s footsteps by jumping ship before the 2006 season-finale in Sao Paulo.

”I’ll keep showing up for Mark Webber,” confirmed Mark, who joined Williams last season.

[GMM]

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