The Malaysian Grand Prix is over and done with but with it emerged a very big story.
It has been revealed that Sebastian Vettel, who eventually went on to win the race, was told by the Red Bull team to hold stations behind the then leading Mark Webber. However Vettel disobeyed the team orders and diced with his team-mate, eventually getting the upper hand.
Tensions were high before the drivers took to their places on the podium, Webber refusing to talk to Sebastian and when he did the only words he said were "Multi 21". This is a setting to turn down the engine, something both drivers were told to do but only Webber did so.
The podium interview was awkward enough but it then came to the top three press conference where Vettel apologised to Webber, but obviously the wound was still very much open for the Aussie.
He told Sky Sports F1's Natalie Pinkham in the driver 'pen' "Sebs a world class driver, we've had a lot of history in the past. It has been very close fight many many times and it doesn't take much for the seesaw to go in one favour. It is still very raw, I was completely reassured twice that we were not going to abuse the cars on each other.
It is very hard for everyone to understand the whole situation. There are a lot of people that think they understand the whole situation, but unfortunately it is not possible for them to understand."
This is correct of course. No one knows what goes on behind the scenes in the team and this article, as are all the others, are only purely based on quotes as evidence but what is clear is that Christian Horner made clear an agreement when he saw the position they were in at the time and Vettel did not stick to it. The fact that Webber was guaranteed victory and he managed to come away with second, its understandable to see why he would feel so upset.
He then said "There were a lot of things on my mind in the last 15 laps of that Grand Prix to be honest, so if the medicine is enough we will see."
But what could be on his mind? Perhaps leaving the team, leaving Formula 1? We all know that Webber is coming towards the end of his career in the sport and that the speculation begins every year when he signs just a one year contract extension but it seems he just can not trust a team or team-mate who went against him.
He showed his anger again, with a dig at Vettel and the unbalanced Red Bull Racing team by saying "After the last stop the team told me the race was over and we turned the engines down to go to the end. I want to race as well, but the team made the decision which we usually do before the race and say that is how is is going to be and look after the tyres and the car and get to the end.
"But Seb made his own decision today and will have protection as usual and that is the way it goes."
Webber also rose his middle finger up at his team-mate after the incident, showing his anger at the move.
Christian Horner was similarly agitated by the disobeying of his driver, saying "we let the drivers race until the final pit-stop. At that point, the drivers' interests became bigger than the team's."
The Red Bull team principal also told Vettel after the eventual pass for the lead via team radio "This is silly Seb, come on." His chief engineer said on the radio "looked like you wanted it bad enough" before adding "still you'll have some explaining to do."
They got on with their usual post-race routine though, despite the team cancelling their 1-2 winners photo. "Both of them have just sat in a debrief, both of them have talked very constructively about the car and focused on where we need to improve and where we need to be better for the next race."
Horner then added "they're race drivers; they will push to the limit. That's part of their DNA is and that's why we sign them. It's the same up and down the pit lane."
And the man in question, Sebastian Vettel, later apologised to his team and team mate for his actions. He said "I should have behaved today. I made a big mistake."
The German added "It's not a victory I am proud of. It should have been Mark's. I owe him a proper explanation."
However he does not think there is anything to worry about in terms of their relationship. He said "I don't think we hate each other so there I don't think there is anything to worry about going in to the next couple of races."
He admits that he is in the wrong and will talk to Mark "face to face" about it during the three week gap between Malaysia and China.
However as Mark Webber said, there is no "rewind" button but it is certain that Vettel disobeyed the team orders given to him and that the result can not be changed but Webber will certainly want the favour to be returned later on.
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| (c) BBC Sport |
Tensions were high before the drivers took to their places on the podium, Webber refusing to talk to Sebastian and when he did the only words he said were "Multi 21". This is a setting to turn down the engine, something both drivers were told to do but only Webber did so.
The podium interview was awkward enough but it then came to the top three press conference where Vettel apologised to Webber, but obviously the wound was still very much open for the Aussie.
He told Sky Sports F1's Natalie Pinkham in the driver 'pen' "Sebs a world class driver, we've had a lot of history in the past. It has been very close fight many many times and it doesn't take much for the seesaw to go in one favour. It is still very raw, I was completely reassured twice that we were not going to abuse the cars on each other.
It is very hard for everyone to understand the whole situation. There are a lot of people that think they understand the whole situation, but unfortunately it is not possible for them to understand."
This is correct of course. No one knows what goes on behind the scenes in the team and this article, as are all the others, are only purely based on quotes as evidence but what is clear is that Christian Horner made clear an agreement when he saw the position they were in at the time and Vettel did not stick to it. The fact that Webber was guaranteed victory and he managed to come away with second, its understandable to see why he would feel so upset.
He then said "There were a lot of things on my mind in the last 15 laps of that Grand Prix to be honest, so if the medicine is enough we will see."
But what could be on his mind? Perhaps leaving the team, leaving Formula 1? We all know that Webber is coming towards the end of his career in the sport and that the speculation begins every year when he signs just a one year contract extension but it seems he just can not trust a team or team-mate who went against him.
He showed his anger again, with a dig at Vettel and the unbalanced Red Bull Racing team by saying "After the last stop the team told me the race was over and we turned the engines down to go to the end. I want to race as well, but the team made the decision which we usually do before the race and say that is how is is going to be and look after the tyres and the car and get to the end.
"But Seb made his own decision today and will have protection as usual and that is the way it goes."
Webber also rose his middle finger up at his team-mate after the incident, showing his anger at the move.
Christian Horner was similarly agitated by the disobeying of his driver, saying "we let the drivers race until the final pit-stop. At that point, the drivers' interests became bigger than the team's."
The Red Bull team principal also told Vettel after the eventual pass for the lead via team radio "This is silly Seb, come on." His chief engineer said on the radio "looked like you wanted it bad enough" before adding "still you'll have some explaining to do."
They got on with their usual post-race routine though, despite the team cancelling their 1-2 winners photo. "Both of them have just sat in a debrief, both of them have talked very constructively about the car and focused on where we need to improve and where we need to be better for the next race."
Horner then added "they're race drivers; they will push to the limit. That's part of their DNA is and that's why we sign them. It's the same up and down the pit lane."
And the man in question, Sebastian Vettel, later apologised to his team and team mate for his actions. He said "I should have behaved today. I made a big mistake."
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| (c) Sky Sports F1 |
The German added "It's not a victory I am proud of. It should have been Mark's. I owe him a proper explanation."
However he does not think there is anything to worry about in terms of their relationship. He said "I don't think we hate each other so there I don't think there is anything to worry about going in to the next couple of races."
He admits that he is in the wrong and will talk to Mark "face to face" about it during the three week gap between Malaysia and China.
However as Mark Webber said, there is no "rewind" button but it is certain that Vettel disobeyed the team orders given to him and that the result can not be changed but Webber will certainly want the favour to be returned later on.
1 comment:
I get wanting to win everyone does but getting a big head and doing your own thing that is what gets you off the team. I do think that the team should penalize Vettel. I like Vettel but I am disappointed in him and that victory belonged to Mark. If Vettel is smart he will give one up later to him when the time arises. But his actions spoke volumes to team dynamics and that needs to be addressed. : (
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