It is believed Red Bull have signed a first-option agreement with owner Paul Stoddart to buy Minardi if an inspection of their financial state proves agreeable. That arrangement is said to expire this weekend.

Horner refused to expand on suggestions Red Bull plan a junior team as a way of promoting drivers on their development programme into Formula One.

He said: “Inevitably there is speculation and Minardi is a team that is for sale at the moment, it seems to be openly for sale. But until it is reality it is not worth me speaking about it at the moment.

“It is not really relevant to comment on at the moment because it is purely speculative. Red Bull obviously have a young driver programme, they are involved in many forms of motorsport so it is only natural that many people have perhaps put the two together.”

However, Horner is adamant the focus of Red Bull’s energy in Formula One will remain on his team, insisting nothing would be done to compromise their chances of success.

The Austrian company have links to several drivers searching for a way into a Formula One race seat, notably Scott Speed and Vitantonio Liuzzi, but Horner is convinced Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz will do nothing to harm his squad’s chances.

“Nothing would be done to dilute the objectives, and those objectives here are very clear,” he added.

“We want to move forward and we really want to compete at the front.

“Red Bull have a habit of breaking the mould and I think they have made a positive impact in Formula One this year.

“What we have achieved has exceeded people’s expectations on and off track, it has been a refreshing input as well, Formula One was becoming a little bit staid.

“We are very pleased with what we have been able to achieve but not satisfied. There are targets beyond what we have done this year.”