Red Bull should have been celebrating Mark Webber’s British Grand Prix triumph but instead is confronted with an escalating feud within its ranks.
Webber was not amused when the team decided to give the one new front wing to teammate Sebastian Vettel in the latest chapter of what the Australian considers team favouritism for the younger German.
Webber was over the moon when he crossed the finish line of a race he decided at the start by passing the pole-sitter Vettel, and felt it was time to speak out.
“Not bad for a number two driver,” he said via team radio.
That was only the beginning.
“Honestly I would never have signed a contract again for next year if I believed that that was the way it was going to be going forward.
Let’s see how it goes in the future but I just keep doing what I do and hopefully it’s enough,” the Australian said.
“Some of the drivers offered me some front wings from their cars on the (drivers’) parade lap but I said I would stick with what I’ve got.” If that wasn’t enough, there were also reports that Webber’s mechanics removed the old front wing that Webber had to race with and waved it at Vettel’s side of the garage after the race.
An exasperated team boss Christian Horner said “We have just won the British Grand Prix,” painfully aware that another, more serious, round of damage control is needed. The situation is more explosive than the Turkish GP incident a few weeks ago when Vettel collided with Webber while trying to overtake him for the lead. Some eyebrows were raised when team officials blamed Webber more than Vettel but clear-the-air talks were held and a fragile truce reigned until Sunday.
“This is now a serious problem and one that threatens to derail Red Bull’s title ambitions,” said British paper Daily Telegraph on Monday after the latest escalation.
The Telegraph spoke of “civil war” and French sports daily L’Equipe also announced that “war has been declared.” Vettel, who managed only seventh place, said: “I have an opinion but I am keeping that for myself.”
Horner and other officials had explained the wing decision with the fact that Vettel was ranked ahead of Webber in the championship, but that has turned again now.
Webber is third with 128 points after his third season win, trailing the McLarens of Lewis Hamilton (145) and and Jenson Button (133). Vettel has 121 for fourth place. It adds to the confusion that Webber reportedly rejected the new front wing. But whether he wanted to use it or not, for British racing legend Sir Sterling Moss the situation is clear.
“I think what Mark Webber should do is say ‘OK, give him (Vettel) the best parts, and I’ll go out and beat him anyway,” Moss told the BBC .
(This article has been corrected on 14th July, 2010 for an editing error)
