Mark Webber will meet with Red Bull’s management today to discuss his future after claiming that he would not have signed his recent contract extension with the team had he known how he was going to be treated at the British Grand Prix.
Despite winning the race from second on the grid, and forcing team mate Sebastian Vettel off the track at the first corner in the process - his rival went on to finish seventh - the Australian was still furious about Red Bull’s decision to take a new front wing off his car and give it to the German prior to Saturday qualifying. Vettel’s wing had broken during morning practice.
"I would never have signed a contract for next year if I believed that was the way going forward," Webber said. “I was disappointed. We will see how it goes in the future, I will keep doing what I am doing and I hope it is enough.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner justified what he described as a “difficult decision” by saying that he had to back one of the drivers and gave it to the one who was leading the championship. He added the same rules would apply in future, and with Webber now leading Vettel in the championship that could help the Australian.
Webber, though, remained unconvinced, making a very pointed remark after crossing the finishing line: “Not bad for a No 2 driver.”
Horner dismissed that as a “throwaway” comment but Webber, who only signed his extension last month, said he would be sitting down with his team boss today to discuss his £5 million a year contract, which is roughly half what Vettel earns at £10 million.
Webber first suggested that Austrian-owned team might favour Vettel after the pair collided disastrously at the Turkish Grand Prix in May, suggesting afterwards that journalists should "dig a little deeper". Red Bull are adamant they treat their drivers equally.
“Mark is not a No 2 driver,” insisted Horner, who strenuously denied that he had discussed the wing decision with Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, a close friend of Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz.
“This has been blown out of all proportion. I’m not saying it’s media spin but sometimes difficult decisions have to be made. It had to go to one car. The fairest way I could see was to go to championship position. If that happens next race - and I sincerely hope it won’t - the same rules will apply."
“Mark has been under contract for well over a month and it goes without saying he will be here next year.”
Source: Telegraph
