Australian Mark Webber will continue to race for Red Bull Racing next season, the Formula One team have confirmed.
Webber, who would have become a free agent next season, opened talks with Red Bull in May and has signed up for another year with the Austrian team.
"The next step facing us is to make the big step and challenge the top three team," said team boss Christian Horner.
"We believe that Mark is absolutely the right guy to have in the car to help us achieve that."
Webber, 31, is eighth in the world championship standings with 18 points, while Red Bull are fourth in the constructors' championship with 24 points.
The announcement comes on the same day that team-mate David Coulthard said he is to retire from the sport at the end of the season.
606: DEBATECoulthard will remain with the team as a consultant, focusing on testing and development of the cars.
Webber joined from Williams at the end of 2006, has yet to win a Grand Prix with third place his highest finish to date.
"I am very happy to have signed up for another year with Red Bull Racing so early in the season," said Webber.
"Continuing with Red Bull Racing for 2009 was a very easy decision for me to make.
"As far back as the middle of last year, it was very clear to me that I enjoyed working with the team, playing my part in its development and helping it move forward.
"So far this year, our reliability has improved and that's allowed us to exploit our performance.
"The progress the team has made in the last 10 months has been excellent and I am looking forward to carrying that momentum through to the end of the season."
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