Red Bull crisis to have no quick end
Team advisor Helmut Marko had been the most vocal supporter of Sebastian Vettel following the incident while the pair battled for the lead in Istanbul despite the vast majority of onlookers blaming the German; who turned across Webber as he attempted to take the lead.
In a question and answer released by the team, Horner admitted that Red Bull ‘wins and loses as a team’ and the incident wasn’t solely down to either driver.
“What we expect from our drivers, as team mates, is that they show respect for each other and allow one another enough room on the race track," he said. “Unfortunately neither driver did this on Sunday and the net result was an incident between the two. During the previous six one-two finishes we have achieved, there have been many incidences of close racing between our drivers and they have previously always abided by this understanding.
“Ultimately we win as a team and we lose as a team and on Sunday we lost as a team, as a result of our two drivers having an incident. Having looked at all the information it’s clear that it was a racing accident that shouldn’t have happened between two team-mates. After looking at all the facts that weren’t available immediately after the race, Dr. Marko also fully shares this view."
The Q&A, which can be read in full HERE, also confirms that Webber had been forced to swap to a leaner fuel mixture before Vettel – which accounted for the difference in speed between the pair – and insists that no orders were given to either driver when it came to changing position.
Horner also confirmed that the team will sit down to discuss what happened and that neither will be give preferential treatment through the remainder of the campaign.
“We’re a very strong team and we will sit down and discuss this openly with the drivers in order to learn from what has happened and avoid a situation like this arising again," he said. “One of the strengths of Red Bull Racing is the team spirit here, which has contributed to the performance that we have achieved so far this season. The drivers are both intelligent individuals and this issue will be resolved prior to the Canadian Grand Prix.
“I have spoken with both drivers, who are both disappointed with what happened. They recognize that they represent the team and so are not only disappointed for their own loss, but the loss of points for the team who put in so much hard work before the race.
“Both drivers, as has always been the case, will continue to be given equal treatment. The Turkish Grand Prix has been a costly lesson for both drivers and we are confident that this situation won’t happen again."
05/31/10
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| A grim looking Sebastian Vettel and Helmut Marko |
(GMM) Dyed-in-the-wool racer Martin Brundle on Monday said he sees no quick end to Red Bull's new self-induced crisis.
"I doubt that trip across the Atlantic for the next round in Montreal will extinguish these fireworks," the BBC commentator said on Monday, as the international media got to work on Sebastian Vettel's crash at Istanbul Park with race leader and teammate Mark Webber.
The Sun's headline referred to the one-two gift handed to McLaren, toying with the energy drink's slogan by insisting "Red Bull gives you wins".
Other sections of the press were more serious.
"Red Bull has a conflict of jealously and betrayal," said El Mundo newspaper in Spain.
Italy's La Repubblica likened the previously dominant team's self-destruction to "suicide".
Britain's The Independent referred to the fact that Webber, branded crazy by Vettel's gesticulations and told by his bosses that he should have let the young German past, must now have the impression he is the number two driver.
Webber acknowledged that Vettel's gesticulations were caused by the "adrenalin" of the moment, but "Red Bull need to take steps to ensure the current world championship leader can have complete faith that the support within the team is spread evenly", said the newspaper.
And Germany's Auto Motor und Sport noted that the 33-year-old is "not the kind of guy who is told to finish second".
Strangely within the paddock, it was only the Red Bull bosses who thought Webber had done something wrong.
"Where should Mark have gone?" Lewis Hamilton – who had a box-seat view of the incident that unfolded in front of him – told German television Sky.
"I think the gap he left him was big enough.
"Even though Jenson and I both want to win, we also have respect for each other. I'm really happy that I have such a good relationship with my teammate."
Said Mercedes' Nico Rosberg: "Mark didn't move at all. For me, it was clearly Sebastian's fault."
Niki Lauda said the 22-year-old had been "much too aggressive", and former driver Alex Wurz noted in Turkey: "All my racing colleagues are in agreement that it was Vettel's fault."
Ross Brawn thinks these situations can be minimized if drivers know clearly the rules of engagement.
"It depends on what has been said beforehand," the Mercedes team boss is quoted by Die Welt newspaper. "Although it's racing, the rules must be known to the drivers."
Peter Sauber, meanwhile, had some sympathy for Christian Horner, admitting to Blick newspaper in Switzerland that these situations are "a nightmare for a team chief".