Saturday, November 6, 2010

SEBASTIAN Vettel Dismissed Teammate Mark Webber's Conspiracy Theories


With two races to go and Red Bull dominating in practice for tomorrow morning's Brazilian Grand Prix, Webber claimed the team was emotionally favouring the young German, describing his 14-point lead over Vettel as "inconvenient" for the team.

Team principal Christian Horner dismissed the comments, the two men having a heart-to-heart in the paddock at Interlagos, with Webber appearing animated.

Vettel hit back, telling German television station RTL: "If Mark needs help, then he should take the medical car."

Talking after practice, Webber was quick to deny he would leave the team after this season.

"It is OK. I think there were a few comments which I don't think was a big surprise to people, but it is fine in the team. Absolutely fine," he said.

"I have a very good relationship with the right people to give me technically a great chance to do a very good job, and that is the most important thing."

Asked if he believed that Red Bull was emotionally rooting for him, Vettel said: "No. Obviously a lot of things have been said or written.

"Everyone has his own opinion, but for me we both have the same chance every weekend to do well.

"The team supplies us with a very good car and that's ultimately the situation that you want to be in, having a car where you can win races and fight for podiums.

"But do I think there is any conspiracy in the air? No. It's the last thing I think about."

Trailing Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso by 11 points in the championship race, Webber played down the importance of being outpaced by Vettel and insisted he was happy with the performance of his car.

"He went a bit later and it's pretty close," Webber said.

"I think it is pretty even at the moment.

"The track was in pretty good shape straight away, so we could get down to work.

"We are not too sure what will happen weather-wise, but ... we are pretty quick, so it was a good day."

In fourth place in the title race, 25 points behind, Vettel remained cautiously optimistic, insisting it was too soon to declare the Red Bulls favourites for the race.

"It looks like it was a good start," Vettel said.

"The car feels all right and I am not 100 per cent happy yet, so we can still improve it and then we see."

Alonso finished the first day of practice third fastest, despite engine troubles in the opening session.

His Ferrari teammate, Brazilian Felipe Massa, managed the fifth fastest time.

Briton Lewis Hamilton, of McLaren, was fourth fastest, while teammate and defending champion Jenson Button, struggling with grip, could only manage the seventh best time.

Alonso leads the title race with 231 points from Webber on 220, Hamilton on 210 and Vettel four points further adrift.

Alonso can raise the trophy if he wins tomorrow morning's race (3:00 a.m. Melbourne time) and Webber finishes fifth or worse.

No comments:

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Looking for something else ... Search below:

Image and video hosting by TinyPic