Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has once again insisted that there is no favouritism within his team.
Red Bull chief expected to hold Webber talks later in the week
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has once again insisted that there is no favouritism within his team.
In the season's longest running saga, there were once again accusations that Sebastian Vettel was favoured over his team-mate Mark Webber at the British Grand Prix, after Vettel was given Webber's front wing after his own had been damaged prior to Saturday's qualifying.
While Vettel out qualified his team-mate he was unable to repeat the feat on race day, with Webber romping to victory while the young German wallowed in seventh position.
Red Bull's explanation for the front wing swap was that Vettel was better placed in the Championship than his team-mate and should the same situation occur at the upcoming German Grand Prix, Webber would be handed Vettel's front wing as his win at Silverstone saw him leapfrog Vettel in the standings.
"If there were a recurrence at the next race then the component would go to Mark's car on the same basis, of championship position," explained Horner.
"There is no desire because of Sebastian's nationality, age or looks to give preference to one car or the other," he added.
Mistake
The Briton did admit that it had been a mistake not to inform Webber of the reasons behind the decision.
There have been reports that Webber's mechanics taunted Vettel's pit crew after the race by waving the old front wing in front of them, something Horner vehemently denies.
"It's ridiculous," he fumed. "Our mechanics are completely for each other, irrelevant of the car crew.
"I believe this is behind us. If there was any ill-feeling, it is resolved and we move on as a team which has won five races, more than anyone else, this season," Horner added.
The 36-year-old has also rubbished reports that the team's German-speaking Austrian owners have applied pressure on him to favour the German Vettel.
"Never, at any point, has pressure been placed on me to favour Sebastian because it's better for selling cans of Red Bull," he said.
"I didn't have a conversation with Helmut (Marko) or anyone from Red Bull regarding the decision to give Sebastian the wing. It was purely a technical decision, which I discussed with Adrian."
Horner was expected to hold 'clear the air' talks with Webber on Monday, but these are now expected to occur later in the week.
