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Red Bull rumble to go on and on

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Red Bull rumble to go on and on

Heading into a Formula One grand prix weekend with only two newly-designed front wings is not a good idea, as Red Bull have now learnt.
 
Both of their drivers had one front wing each to try out in practice for the British Grand Prix, and when Sebastian Vettel broke his in the final session on Saturday morning, the team decided to take the from Mark Webber’s car and put it on Vettel’s.
 
Logic would dictate that if Vettel had damaged the new component, then that was his fault and he would pay the price. But instead, Vettel ended up getting his teammate’s wing, leaving a fuming Webber angry and frustrated after the qualifying session, and sparking suggestions of favouritism towards Vettel.
 
The reason given behind this decision was that Vettel was better placed in the drivers’ standings. But this season a win is worth 25 points, so a 12-point gap between the Red Bull duo was hardly significant. After Webber’s victory, he is now ahead of Vettel by seven points, which again is not exactly a huge advantage.
 
Team principal Christian Horner has revealed if the same situation were to occur at the next grand prix in Hockenheim, Germany, Webber would be handed the front wing, even at the home race of Vettel. “If there were a recurrence at the next race then the component would go to Mark's car on the same basis, of championship position. There is no desire because of Sebastian's nationality, age or looks to give preference to one car or the other.”
 
Webber crossed the finish line victorious, and Horner said on the team radio: “Well done Mark, you’ve won the British Grand Prix,” to which Webber replied “Thanks guys, not bad for a No.2 driver.”
 
Horner was expected to hold clear-the-air talks with Webber yesterday, but that didn’t happen, with the talks now going to take place later this week. Horner also admits he regrets the decision not to speak to Webber about the decision with the front wing.
 
“I didn't have a conversation with Helmut [Marko, Red Bull motorsport consultant] 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,” he said.
 
The relationship between Vettel and Webber has been strained ever since they collided with one another at the Turkish Grand Prix. Reports from Sunday’s race suggesting Vettel’s pit crew taunted the other side of the garage by holding the old front wing in front of them have angered Horner. “It's ridiculous. Our mechanics are completely for each other, irrelevant of the car crew,” he said.
 
Horner was quick to switch the focus back onto racing. “I believe this is behind us. If there was any ill-feeling, it is resolved and we move on as a team which has won five races, more than anyone else, this season.”
 
Last night, the young team principal hosted an annual party at his home in Northamptonshire. Vettel played the tune to Deep Purple's Smoke On Water on a guitar, while Webber sang Bryan Adams’ hit Summer of '69. Then, everyone at the party sang to the classic Don McLean tune American Pie.

To show there were no signs of pressure within the Red Bull camp, Horner jokingly commented about the singing. “We haven't been offered any recording contracts and the neighbours will probably be complaining about the noise but everyone here let their hair down and celebrated the fact that we had just won the British grand prix and our 11th race in 88 attempts,” he said.
 
They may have sung from the same hymn sheet, but Vettel and Webber are certainly not in harmony.

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