Red Bull: Webber/Vettel fight a luxury

Vettel's triumph at Suzuka has helped him narrow the advantage to team-mate Mark Webber to just 14 points with three races remaining - and it has set up the prospect of a thrilling battle to the wire.

And although there have been flash points this season between Vettel and Webber - most famously in Turkey when they collided and at Silverstone in a bust-up over a new front wing - Red Bull Racing is comfortable it can manage the situation.

Team principal Christian Horner said the prospect of his drivers going head-to-head over the remainder of the season was not a concern at all - even though any slip-up could help hand the initiative to Alonso.

Horner was full of praise for the way that Vettel has hauled himself back into contention in the last few races - having been effectively written off by the media a few races ago on the back of his errors at the Hungarian and Belgian Grands Prix.

"One of Sebastian's strength of character is the self-belief that he has and I don't think he has ever doubted for one moment that he is out of this championship," said Horner after seeing his drivers take a 1-2 finish in Japan.

"Seb has responded in the best possible way.

"We are fortunate in the team to have two level-headed and strong-willed drivers. And while that inevitably poses challenges at times - it is a luxury problem to have. I am delighted with the performance of the two drivers and obviously hope that they keep performing at this level over the remaining three races."

Horner believes the title fight will now come down to the consistency of his two drivers - with Alonso remaining Red Bull Racing's closest challenger for now.

Reflecting on Vettel's recent recovery, Horner said: "Seb had a less comfortable summer break than Mark probably did, but in the last few races he has driven extremely well.

"Monza, Singapore and here have all been strong events for him, and he has built a bit of momentum back into his campaign and got himself back into contention.

"But Mark has been banging in podiums. He achieved it in Singapore, he achieved it in Spa and he achieved it here in Japan. It will be about consistency in the remaining three races between the title protagonists."

Horner also reiterated that the team would continue to treat both its drivers equally as they chase a maiden world title.

"The way the drivers are working at the moment is fantastic," he said. "They are both working in a completely transparent and open way.

"They are obviously competing for the biggest prize in motorsport and as a team that brings additional pressures with it, but as a team we are trying our best to support both drivers equally and both drivers are very much still in this championship.

"Mark has extended his lead today, Sebastian has put himself back into contention and we will continue to back both drivers equally."