Mark Webber will get no favours from Sebastian Vettel in F1 finale
Mark Webber has been told not to expect any favours from Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel in his quest to end his Formula 1 career with Brazilian Grand Prix victory
The Australian is bowing out of F1 after this weekend's race at Interlagos, and his Red Bull chiefs have said they would like to see him sign off with a win.
But with Vettel unlikely to be willing to sacrifice extending his record-breaking run of victories to nine, and tensions still simmering away after the Malaysian GP team orders fiasco, Red Bull does not expect Webber to be handed a free run to success.
Team boss Christian Horner said: "It would be great to see him win his final race - what a way to sign out - but Sebastian is going to be going for that record as well.
"As usual it will be a straight fight between the pair of them. Mark would not want to be gifted a win."
Although Red Bull has wrapped up both championships and helped Vettel become the first man in history to win eight consecutive races in the same season, Horner says there remains a push for more success at Interlagos.
"You only have to look in the eyes of every single member of the team to see the motivation and desire that still exists," he said.
"Even though we won the championship in India we have been pushing flat out.
"And, as I have always said, we will continue to do so until the chequered flag in Brazil next weekend.
"The target now is to try to get Mark the third place in the drivers' championship and see out the season in style.
"There is nobody lacking motivation or being complacent in any way."
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Sebastian Vettel |
| Author | Jonathan Noble |
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
The clues Hamilton’s F1 contract afterthought gives to his future
The Formula 1 world reacted with surprise when it learned Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited new Mercedes deal guarantees his presence on the grid only until the end of 2021. Both parties claimed publicly they were happy with the arrangement but, asks MARK GALLAGHER, is there more to it than that?
How a harshly ejected Red Bull star has been hooked by racing again
Driver-turned-DJ Jaime Alguersuari lost his love for motorsport when he was booted out of Formula 1 just as he was starting to polish his rough edges. Having drifted from category to category then turned his back on racing altogether in 2015, he’s come full circle and is planning a return in karts for fun
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
