May 19 (GMM) Mark Webber's recent comments about his contract talks for 2009 are a "positioning tactic", his Red Bull teammate David Coulthard has deduced.



Both drivers are out of contract at the end of the year, and Australian Webber, who is 31, told reporters in Turkey recently that he has opened talks about a new deal.



"I am free next year but I am massively keen to stay here," he said.



F1 veteran Coulthard, who has failed to contribute to Red Bull's tally of 10 points so far in 2008, noted Webber's comments in his latest column for ITV.



"I can only presume it was either to stimulate talks with the team or to stimulate interest in the rest of the paddock, reminding people that he's on the market," the Scot said.



"I would conclude that it was a positioning tactic rather than anything else."



Coulthard, at 37 the oldest driver on the grid, said he has no intention of making the same sort of declaration about his own negotiations.



"I will keep my own counsel until I have a firm deal to announce," he promised.



Team boss Christian Horner on Monday was quoted as rating the performance of Red Bull's driver lineup in the first quarter of 2008.



"Mark is in the form of his life at the moment and I think he is driving extremely well," he said.



"David has had more than his fair share of bad luck, but he was very much back on form in Istanbul, which is very positive for the team, as we rely heavily on both our drivers bringing back points," Horner added.