By Jonathan Noble Monday, July 19th 2010, 11:53 GMT
Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz insists that Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel have been, and will continue to be, treated absolutely equally by his Formula 1 team - even if there is a risk that the policy costs his team the title.
With Red Bull Racing having been engulfed in a 'favouritism' storm over the front wing controversy at the British Grand Prix, the outfit has spent the last week calming the situation down.
Following talks between Webber and team principal Christian Horner in Milton Keynes last week, the Australian admitted that he had spoken out too much in venting his frustrations in public after the event - but said it was time to move on.
Now Mateschitz has spoken at length for the first time about the fallout from Silverstone - and made it clear that he has always demanded that both Webber and Vettel be treated equally.
When asked by German newspaper Kleine Zeitung why he does not believe Red Bull Racing should install a number one, Mateschitz said: "Because this philosophy is not keeping with my understanding of racing.
"You cannot just program a champion. Our two drivers know that they have to beat a) the other and b) they still need each other to take away as many points as possible from the competition."
Mateschitz said that it was vital the team does not interfere in the driver rivalry – after admitting that the front wing situation in Silverstone was a unique circumstance.
"If you ask me today who will be champion, I say one of our two drivers," he said. "But the pits must not interfere, because then the problems begin in earnest."
He added: "We do not have a number one and a number two driver. Both drivers have cars to exactly the same standard. The problem with the new wing at Silverstone was the first exception."
When it was put to him that letting both drivers continue to race head-to-head on equal terms opened up the risk of letting one of the team's rivals through to win the title, Mateschitz said: "I think it is unlikely, but I would not rule it out. And if it should happen, my God we are talking about racing.
"The image of blood, sweat and tears is not by chance."
Mateschitz confirmed that he was not consulted by the team about the front wing choice before qualifying, and said the matter had become such a big story because it was communicated incorrectly both internally and to the media.
He also refused to criticise Webber for speaking out about the situation post-race – which was first highlighted when the Australian said over the radio: 'Not bad for a number two.'
"It was unnecessary but on the other side, Mark has done nothing wrong."
When asked if it would be better for the team to gag the drivers, he said: "Such a thing would not be our style. Everyone can tell the truth – which is one of the highest virtues of Red Bull."
Red Bull admits that Mark Webber wasn't to blame for the collision between its drivers in Istanbul and that it was a 'racing accident' Red Bull Racing has moved to retract previous comments suggesting that Mark Webber was to blame for the collision between its two drivers in the Turkish Grand Prix, with team principal Christian Horner stating that it was a 'racing accident'.
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 recognise 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.”
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