In the wake of incidents in Turkey in May, and again following Mark Webber’s controversial win at Silverstone on Sunday, there has been widespread speculation that Red Bull’s Austrian owner would prefer Sebastian Vettel, a 23-year-old German, to win the world title over an Australian 10 years his senior. While Horner has repeatedly claimed that he gives his drivers equal opportunities, many in the paddock believe that certain decisions are being forced upon him from above.
Webber fanned those flames last weekend in spectacular fashion. Furious that a new part from his car was transferred to Vettel’s just prior to qualifying, he drove a brilliant race on Sunday before pointedly telling Horner over the team radio: “Not bad for a No 2 driver.”
The Australian later insisted that he would not have signed a recent contract extension had he known the team would treat him like they did at Silverstone, adding that he would sit down with Horner on Monday to discuss the issue.
Horner said those talks had not yet happened but confirmed they would take place early this week. And the Red Bull team principal repeated his claim that he made the wing decision for the right reasons, stressing that the team’s owner had nothing to do with it.
“There has never been any pressure from Red Bull to favour one driver over the other,” he said. “I didn’t have a conversation with Helmut [Marko, the Austrian company’s motorsport adviser] or anyone from Red Bull regarding the decision to give Sebastian the wing. It was purely a technical decision, which I discussed with Adrian [Newey].
“My one regret is that I didn’t have time to discuss the issue with Mark personally prior to qualifying as I’m sure that would have given him a more balanced understanding.”
Horner also played down allegations that Webber’s side of the garage had taunted Vettel’s following the race. “It’s ridiculous,” he said. “Our mechanics are completely for each other, irrelevant of the car crew. That’s why we have some of the fastest pit stops in Formula One.
“There is one team of mechanics for both drivers and all championship bonuses are based on team position rather than driver so there is no favouritism at all.”
Horner revealed that Webber and Vettel had been up on stage singing together at a post-race party he hosted at his home, adding that he was sure he and Webber would settle their differences soon.
“Mark and I have always enjoyed a very good and transparent relationship,” he said. “I’ve known him for over a decade and I’ve always supported him, as I do Sebastian.
“They were both up on stage at our post-race party on Sunday singing together with myself, Adrian [Newey] and one or two others.
“You have to remember, this was a great result for the team and it was a hugely emotional occasion. It was great that we all celebrated together with Mark’s family and Seb’s family there as well.”
Hamilton and Button revel in rivals’ dispute
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button have declared themselves delighted at the simmering tensions within Red Bull’s camp, which they believe should play right into their hands.
Hamilton, who does not get on with Sebastian Vettel, said he was backing Mark Webber in the dispute: “If that was me, jeez,” Hamilton said of the decision to take a part from the Australian’s car and give it to the German. “It’s not nice but I’m very, very, very happy for Mark [that he won]. But it seems that we have more harmony in our team and that’s why we’re leading both championships.”
Button agreed that the conflict should help his team, adding that Webber’s suggestions of “smoke and mirrors” within McLaren prior to the British GP were wide of the mark.
“However much people take the mickey out of how well Lewis and I get on it works well with our team. The guys in the factory are not worrying about how we are with each other,” he said.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
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