No team orders for Webber - Red Bull
Red Bull will not impose team orders on Mark Webber in Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as they seek to set up Sebastian Vettel for a third successive world title and clinch the constructors' championship.
Instead, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said on Thursday they will expect him to obey his best instincts as 'a team player' even though, mathematically, he retains a chance of winning the drivers' title himself.
Vettel, 25, who is 13 points ahead of nearest rival Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, will become the sport's youngest triple champion if he retains his title this year.
Webber is fourth behind third-placed Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus with 167 points compared to Vettel's total of 240 with three races remaining.
Horner said: "I am sure as a team player, if required, he will do everything to support the team.
"Mathematically now it is very difficult for him to win the championship and he is a smart guy. He has been an important part of the team and I have every confidence that he will be doing his best to help the team achieve its objectives for the championship.
"Mark is a strong competitor and he is a big team player. I am quite convinced that he will want to see the team achieve its best possible results."
Asked if any instructions had been given to Webber, Horner said: "I think you can talk about so many scenarios and then a scenario you haven't talked about is the one that comes up.
"Mark is a bright guy, and he has been around a long time. He is a key member of the team and I think that he will be able to do his best.
"His primary objective is to make sure we achieve the constructors' championship and for us that we have got both drivers ahead of Fernando (Alonso).
"He was desperately unlucky last week not to keep Fernando behind after having to run reduced power and KERS for most of the race. So he will be driving his best to ensure that we have got two Red Bulls right up the front end."
