Webber - Big choices ahead

Time to choose: Webber and Hamilton

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• Lewis Hamilton

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Mark Webber says Red Bull should soon consider putting all their eggs in one basket and back one driver for the world championship.

The Australian now holds a 28-point lead over team-mate Sebastian Vettel after the pair experienced contrasting fortunes in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.

Webber finished second behind Lewis Hamilton despite suffering a clutch problem on the start line that dropped him from pole position to seventh place on the opening lap.

Vettel, in contrast, trailed home in 15th place after a torrid afternoon that saw him collide with another title contender, Jenson Button, as they battled for second place at Spa.

With Button retiring on the spot, Vettel continued although a drive-through penalty for the incident and a later puncture dropped him out of the running.

Red Bull insist they do not have a number one driver, but Webber seemed to suggest on Sunday they should start thinking about backing him over Vettel after the German's impetuous display.

"McLaren have won many championships and have a good trophy cabinet, Red Bull have a good trophy cabinet but not as good," the 34-year-old said. "I think it depends on how hungry we are to try and do that.

"I think it is too early at the moment to say that (one driver should have number one status), but maybe there is a different strategy compared to McLaren.

"It's still too early at the moment but not too far away."

Unfortunate

The situation is now similar at McLaren, where Hamilton now stands 35 points clear of Button with six races remaining.

However, unlike Webber, Sunday's race winner thinks both he and Button should continue to receive equal treatment.

"I think today Jenson was very unfortunate," Hamilton said of his team-mate's demise.

"I get the same treatment as Jenson and vice versa and that enables us to both score maximum points, so I don't feel there should be any preferential treatment.

"The team do their best - the maximum for each of us - so (there's) no more they could do."

The 2008 world champion insists that with 150 points still to play for, the title race is still wide open.

"You have seen in the last few races how quickly things can change so we still have a long way to go, and many points to be grabbed by any of us drivers fighting for the championship," said Hamilton.

"The closest rival to me at the moment in terms of points is Mark but I still think the championship is open. We want to make sure that is not the case after another few races."

Realistic

As expected, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner thinks the title is still very much up for grabs and does not believe Webber would explicitly request preferential treatment.

"No, I don't," Horner replied. "Mark is a sportsman, a realist, and he knows the numbers better than anybody else.

"He is realistic enough to know things can change very quickly, but he is in a great position.

"If we come through Monza (Italian Grand Prix on September 12) then we will be heading to tracks we know will suit our package.

"Clearly Mark is in the form of his career, and based on the season to date he looks in great shape, but it would be a foolish person to rule out Sebastian at the moment."