Question:

Poles apart - Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webbe

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The youngest Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel clinched the 2010 Driver’s title away from Mark Webber, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton in the very last race of the season at Abu Dhabi after a dramatic and exciting race. Sebastian was 15 points
behind the Championship leader Alonso before the race while his teammate was just 8 points behind. Lewis Hamilton was the most unlikely competitor as he was behind by 24 points.
Sebastian Vettel began the race weekend as the strongest driver as he took pole position followed by Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in 2nd and 3rd places on the grid. Sebastian led the race quite comfortably as his teammate Mark
Webber was in 5th place. It seemed that Vettel was going at a good pace but since Fernando Alonso was in 4th place behind him before his pit, he was an active threat to the young German.
It was speculated that Red Bull decided to pit Mark Webber early on purpose in order to distract the Spaniard and ensure that Sebastian wins the race in order to clinch the title. The only threat behind him was Lewis Hamilton but since he was in 2nd
place and it was quite clear that he wasn’t going to catch him, the team earned a clean lead in points.
Mark Webber was obviously frustrated at his team and since Sebastian cost the Australian the win at the Turkish Grand Prix, Webber was not happy with these results. Since Vettel crashed into Webber’s Red Bull at the Turkish race, the relationship between
the two drivers was affected.
The Australian driver stated in an interview that he was going fairly well and does not deserve to be the “No. 2” driver in the team. He further claimed that the team was emotionally backing Vettel after the Brazilian Grand Prix and the buildup was inclined
towards Vettel more than himself even though he was ahead of his teammate in points.
The team revealed that Mark Webber will stay on in 2011 and as a result, the two drivers tried to settle their differences but it seems that it is just not possible after Sebastian Vettel’s interview immediately after the race.
“Immediately after the race we had a long conversation. He came over to congratulate me and we took the chance to speak. There have been some things that annoyed me over the course of the year and vice versa. We've had the chance to set the record straight,”
stated the 2010 World Champion.
One of the turning points for Sebastian this season was his accident with Jenson Button at the Belgian Grand Prix after which the young German had to face a deficit of 30 points behind the Championship leader Lewis Hamilton back then. However, Sebastian
stated that he respects Mark Webber and vice versa and that’s all that is required from a teammate.
“In Spain I admit I made a mistake. In my opinion, it wasn't a grave one because I just tried to get past somebody and it didn't work out. After that I was massively criticized, including by the media. That was a real lesson for me - probably the most important
one of the whole season,” he said.
Before this incident, Sebastian believes that he was the favourite for this year’s Formula 1 Championship and it was quite clear that he was a potential competitor this season. The young German stroke back and achieved the results his team required in order
to prove his worth to the team. Nevertheless, it is never easy for a team to work efficiently if their drivers are not on good terms with each other. The 2011 season it seems will certainly offer a lot to talk about.