Horner wants ‘long-term’ contract talks with Vettel
23-year-old Vettel is already contracted to Red Bull Racing for 2011, but the Milton Keynes based team reportedly wants a much longer deal.
Germany's Sport Bild said the team, owned by Austrian Dietrich Mateschitz but run by Briton Horner, is eyeing a deal through 2015.
But when asked precisely how long he would like Vettel to commit, Horner joked: "2028.
"Then he'd be 41, like Michael Schumacher."
Vettel handles his own contractual negotiations, with only the assistance of his father Norbert.
Horner said: "I know that Mercedes would have Sebastian. Ferrari too, and even McLaren would not be averse. That's why we want to have him for the long term."
The media report said a new deal to 2015, with options through to 2018 with a ten per cent retainer increase per additional year, would boost Vettel's retainer to about EUR 12 million per season.
Said Horner: "Sebastian is the future. He is going to be around, winning, for many years."
And Vettel commented: "I already have a contract with Red Bull. What happens next, we will see.
"For me, it's not about the money but about sitting in a competitive car with a team I feel comfortable with."