Webber cools talk of Red Bull 'rift'

By Andrew Benson BBC Sport at Silverstone

Mark Webber described his victory in the British Grand Prix as "an appointment with karma" after the controversy over favouritism.

Red Bull caused a furore by deciding to take a new front wing off Webber's car to give to team-mate Sebastian Vettel.

Asked if the result felt like poetic justice, the Australian said: "An appointment with karma, yeah."

"I wasn't happy," he said. "I'm sure we'll have some pretty decent chats. I don't think it should happen."

Team boss Christian Horner said he plans to have clear-the-air talks with his driver.

Horner happy with 'competitive drivers'

"Of course, we will talk about it, and if the air needs to be cleared it will be cleared," said Horner.

Webber in May signed a new contract to drive for Red Bull next year.

He said: "Honestly I would never have signed a contract for next year if I believed that was the way I thought it would be going forward. We'll see what happens in the future."

Webber made his feelings clear over the team radio on his slow-down lap after the victory, saying: "Not bad for a number two driver."

Red Bull's decision - made before qualifying on Saturday after Vettel's new wing failed, leaving them with only one - dominated the rest of the weekend.

Vettel went on to beat Webber to pole position using the new wing, which is believed to be worth about 0.1secs a lap.

Most insiders were flabbergasted by Red Bull's choice, saying they thought the decision was effectively saying Vettel was the team's number one driver, a situation Red Bull deny is the case.

Team principal Christian Horner's decision also came only six weeks after the two drivers collided while disputing the lead at the Turkish Grand Prix.

The team initially said Webber was more to blame than Vettel for that crash, even though most observers and ex-drivers felt Vettel was at fault. Horner later backtracked, saying it had been a mistake to say that.

ANDREW BENSON'S BLOG Whatever your view of Webber's victory in the British Grand Prix, it is difficult to see how it will do anything other than store up a whole load more trouble for Red Bull Racing

Webber joked: "Some of the drivers offered me some front wings from their cars on the parade lap - Seb didn't - but I said I would stick with the one I got."

Horner said he had made what he described as a "difficult decision" on the basis of the fact that Vettel was ahead in the championship, albeit only by the equivalent of a fourth place.

Webber's win lifts him ahead of the German into third place in the championship behind McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

And Horner admitted after the race: "Mark is by my maths ahead on the points, if we ever found ourselves with one component we'd act differently at the next race."

"It's a very good problem to have, to have two such competitive drivers, and as a team we're doing our best to give them the same components week in, week out.

"Whether it's Sebastian or Mark, the important thing was we had one of our cars winning.

Vettel hints at disharmony in Red Bull team (UK only)

"Mark is a competitive animal, he's pushing very, very hard, and sometimes difficult decisions have to be made, but I think we did the best we could, we won the race, and Mark should be very happy with the work he did today."

Webber won after making a better start than Vettel, who suffered a puncture after being touched by Hamilton's McLaren at the first corner.

The German, who dropped to last after stopping on the first lap to change tyres, fought back to finish seventh.

Vettel said: "From my point of view he had a better start. I moved to the right to try and defend but he was already there. I knew that because I couldn't see him in the mirror and I knew he didn't stall.

"Then he was there so there was no point doing something stupid. The race is longer than just one corner. It is a shame I couldn't fight him then but it is good for the team and I am happy for the team.

"Obviously I focus on myself and so does he I guess. Especially after what happened in the past people have different opinions, I have opinion, I have my experiences and sometimes, good and bad, you get to know people a little better and see their true faces. So I think I have learned my lesson and focus on myself."

Highlights - British Grand Prix

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