Red Bull adamant driver equality policy will stay
Red Bull insists it has no qualms about its policy of letting both Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber fight it out for the title - even though they could take points off each other
With the world title battle likely to boil down to a contest between the Red Bull drivers, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkoen, there are both advantages and disadvantages in one team having two men in the hunt.
But Red Bull team principal Christian Horner claims no thought will be given to favouring one of his men - and says the outfit has learned valuable lessons from incidents that happened in 2010.
"The drivers have gone through a lot of different experiences together and I think there is a genuine respect between the two drivers," he said.
"They are both performing very well, so from a team point of view it is healthy to have two drivers who are pushing each other, that are running at the front, and it will be no different in the remaining nine races.
"We will continue to give both guys the same opportunity and ultimately it will be down to what they do on track, as it should be."
Horner reckons that the fact that his two men are adrift of championship leader Alonso actually has its benefits.
"In many respects the pressure is off our two drivers because they are doing the chasing rather than being the chased. They have nothing to lose in the last nine races to go for it," he said.
Reflecting on the first part of the campaign, Horner said: "It has been an interesting first half for us. The way that the regulations evolved over the winter and the way we managed to deal with that means we have got a better understanding with the car.
"We are unlucky not to be sitting here with four races wins, after the disappointment of Valencia, but to have won in Monaco, Silverstone and Bahrain, we have more than a 50-point lead in the constructors' championship.
"But we don't take anything for granted. Obviously the main objective is to get both drivers right up there with Fernando."
Previous article
Belgian Grand Prix: Mark Webber gets gearbox change grid penalty
Next article
Belgian Grand Prix: Fernando Alonso fastest for Ferrari in dry final practice
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Teams | Red Bull Racing |
| 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
