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Mark Webber has admitted to deliberately ignoring Red Bull’s imposition of team orders in the closing laps of the British grand prix.
The Australian revealed that he received four or five calls from his engineer to back away from teammate Sebastian Vettel, before team boss Christian Horner sternly issued the terse order to “maintain your position”.
Briton Horner said immediately that while Webber will be frustrated, he “should be fine” with the team strategy.
“I am not fine with it, no,” Webber clarified. “I ignored the team as I wanted to try and get another place.”
The situation has rekindled memories of last year’s in-fighting about equality between Vettel and Webber, and brought into renewed focus the fact that the latter’s contract is yet to be renewed for 2012.
“Well, I cannot change that — that’s part of such actions,” championship leader Vettel told F1’s official website after the Silverstone incident.
Asked if the situation might affect Webber’s contract negotiations with Red Bull, Horner – who admitted he was “surprised” with the driver’s attitude – said at Silverstone: “I sincerely hope not.
“It’s something he and I will talk about in private,” added the team principal.
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