Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Webber accepts team orders stance

Mark Webber has admitted that it would have been 'a help' if Red Bull had employed team orders to boost his championship position in the Brazilian Grand Prix, but said he accepts his squad's policy and is not expecting any extra assistance in Abu Dhabi next weekend

Sebastian Vettel led Webber home in a Red Bull one-two in Brazil, securing the constructors' championship for the team. But the result put Webber eight points behind leader Fernando Alonso in the drivers' standings, whereas the gap would have only been one point had Red Bull reversed its drivers' position - though that would have all but ended Vettel's title hopes.

When asked if the team should have swapped the order of its cars today, Webber replied: "It helps but it's not the team's philosophy. It was a good drive by Seb today for the win and that is how it is.

"The team is going for the position it has always done on the sporting side and that is how it is.

"Fernando got some points at Hockenheim [via team orders], which happened in the past and will happen in the future.

"Everyone has different ideas and that is how it is. I still have a good chance and will go to Abu Dhabi and do my best."

Asked whether he expected Vettel to move aside for him in Abu Dhabi, Webber said: "Depends how it is on the last lap."

The Australian reckoned qualifying behind Vettel and failing to jump him at the start had decided the result today.

"Most of the races were decided on Saturday or the first lap," Webber said. "We follow each other, in old days you could play strategy and go longer or shorter, but that is not how it is [now]."

He also pointed out that an issue with high engine temperatures had forced him to nurse his car for much of the distance.

"We had to manage a few problems during the second part of race," said Webber. "A very, very hot engine for some reason so we had to turn it down quite a lot, and just focus on keeping Fernando out."

Webber added that he was delighted that the team - which he originally drove for in its Jaguar incarnation in 2003/04 before returning to it under the Red Bull name in 2007 - had wrapped up the constructors' title.

"I am absolutely stoked for the guys and girls," he said. "I've known a lot of them in Milton Keynes for a long time. They're part of an amazing effort and to get the constructors' title is a phenomenal effort for them, all the guys who have put them in there racing Ferrari and McLaren.

"We've beaten them fair and square. It is a very good achievement for the team."

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Brazil Sunday quotes: Toro Rosso
Next article Vettel coy on team orders position

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe