Webber-Vettel, the battle of the leaders

Is Mark Webber now the favorite to win the world title? His victories in Barcelona and Monaco speak for him. On two completely different circuits, the Australian was able to be the fastest during qualifying, notably ahead of his teammate, Sebastian Vettel, who had taken the best at the start of the season. In the race, in Spain and in the Principality, Mark Webber was able to escape each time, displaying an impressive pace in the sequence of laps.

In the “Drivers” World Championship standings, the two men are now in control. With his two victories, the Australian is first, but tied on points with his young teammate and rival. If the Red Bull-Renault has been as dominant throughout the season as it was in the first six races, so the duel for the world crown could end in a fratricidal struggle.

These internal fights have sometimes weighed down the season of certain teams. Recently, we remember the exacerbated rivalry between Fernando Alonso et Lewis Hamilton in McLaren, in 2007. Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) had, among other things, taken advantage of this rivalry to win the world title during the last race.

Last year, the duel between Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button at Brawn GP came to an end. The Briton, winner of the first races, was quickly catapulted into the role of leader, causing the frustration of Rubens Barrichello, even if he never gave up, notably pocketing two victories during the second half of the season.

Within Red Bull Racing, the situation is currently in suspense. As they showed by celebrating their double in Monaco (see videos here et here), Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber get along wonderfully. But what will it be in three or four months, if the two men are still fighting for the world title?

« I hope we will be able to handle this in a mature and adult way., says Fabrice Lom, head of engine operations at RBR, for Europe 1. Our drivers are, I hope, big boys. It?s true that there is the risk of deteriorating the atmosphere in the team with this exacerbated struggle. I hope not, I hope we will remain professional. The most important thing remains the “constructors” championship. The “drivers” championship is the icing on the cake. It's clear that if it stays like this until the end of the year, it's going to be difficult to manage. But we'll make do. »

If Red Bull dominates the next races as much as the one at the start of the year, Christian Horner?s team will have to ensure that no grain of sand stops the victory machine. Because Red Bull could lose a lot in a destructive rivalry.