Sections of the international media have questioned Red Bull's strategic approach to the 2010 drivers' world championship.

After Sebastian Vettel won the Brazilian grand prix from the team's points leader Mark Webber at Interlagos, Der Spiegel noted: "Red Bull gives (Fernando) Alonso wings".

Not switching the places means that Spaniard Alonso can take his Ferrari to just second place this weekend in Abu Dhabi and be champion, whereas the alternative strategy would have set up Webber for a straight fight.

"It is not easy for Webber to drive in a team that considers him a burden to be up against Vettel," said La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Tuttosport noted that it seems "the Austrian team would be happier to lose than to see Webber beat Vettel".

"No team orders at Red Bull. Another own goal," headlined La Repubblica.

Joan Villadelprat wrote in his El Pais column: "Had Red Bull opted for Webber a few races ago, the Australian would probably now be champion."

Red Bull, however, is unrepentant. Team owner Dietrich Mateschitz told Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper that "second under proper conditions can often be more valuable than a first".

But there is a feeling that the team is not simply giving up the fight for the drivers' title.

One columnist in Brazil's Globo wondered if Vettel's radio message in Abu Dhabi might sound something like 'So ... Mark is faster than you'.

"I'm always in favour of leaving the fight on the track with equal chances for both sides," said Rubens Barrichello. "But I wonder if they would do that if the situation was in reverse."

The Brazilian obviously suspects that, if Vettel was the points leader, Webber would unquestionably be playing a subordinate role by now.

"Mark has done a great job this year and he has been told by his team what position he is in," said Lewis Hamilton. "Against adversity he has kept at it. I want to see Mark win."

Webber believes that, if a strategy is deployed, it will only be on the "last lap" of the season this weekend.

"Sebastian is part of a team," said Niki Lauda, who believes Webber should be backed fully by Red Bull. "If he does anything it should be helping Webber and not just on the last lap."

Webber is quoted by Bild newspaper: "It makes sense. Otherwise it would mean that Ferrari's team orders would have paid off for Fernando."

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner hints that sense will ultimately prevail.

"We have already given too many presents to Fernando this year," he is quoted by Autosprint.
Source: GMM

Read more: 'Red Bull gives Alonso wings' - press

 

"Mark has done a great job this year and he has been told by his team what position he is in," said Lewis Hamilton. "Against adversity he has kept at it. I want to see Mark win."

my thoughts exactly.

 

Ditto!

 

I agree with Hamilton. Webber deserves this title. This season has been his and if he wins the title, he'll have earned it without a doubt.

 

It's either Webber's or Alonso's imo. I think these two deserve it more than anyone else. Yes, Vettel is fast, but he needs to mature a lot more both as a person and a racing driver before he is WDC.

 

I'm not a Hamilton fan but that's the most selfless statement I've heard him utter.

He's absolutely right too. Webber deserves the title given what he's faced down with a team that's been less than supportive Red Bull team who's now basically handed Ferrari the advantages needed to win the driver's championship. I hope Webber takes victory this weekend and Alonso is held up far enough back in the field for Webber to win it.

 

Red Bull's dilemma was created by the rare fortunate circumstance of having two solid drivers scoring frequent podium finishes. It is understood that the MC is more important to the teams on the grid, and for that I give them credit. That said, is it the teams duty to help a driver win a DC or is it the drivers duty to help the team win a MC? When you have two drivers solidly in the hunt for the DC which do you back? Neither driver was ever mathematically out of the hunt so it would have been very controversial for Red Bull to back one over the other. In Ferrari's case, I understand backing Alonso.

 

webber!!

 

Vettel is still in the fight. Red Bull's drivers did their jobs to win them the MC. What business does the MC have telling any of its drivers to give up their hopes to be the DC? If I was Vettel, I would fight to the bitter end. That is what champs do. For the record, I hope Alonso wins.

 

i personally have no issues with team orders, with that being said, IF Alonso (who is the most talented on the grid imo) wins he had better hope it is by more then 7 points!! I personally cant stand Vettel, he is quick but not the best of drivers IMO as of yet, he has some serious growing up to do, he needs to learn to be a professional. Remember the days when F1 drivers had to take edicate classes!