Horner has faith in team player Webber

Mark Webber is expected to be a team player in Abu Dhabi this weekend
3 November 2012

Red Bull boss Christian Horner is fully expecting Mark Webber to be a team player this weekend without the need to have a quiet word in his ear.

Horner has long allowed Webber a free rein whilst he remained in contention for the Formula One drivers' title, refusing to impose team orders, but on the back of four consecutive victories for team-mate Sebastian Vettel, Webber requires a miracle as he trails Vettel by 73 points, with just 75 available ahead of Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

It means Webber could have a role to play if required as Vettel dices with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso for the world title, and Horner said: "Mark is a strong competitor and a big team player. I'm quite convinced he will want to see the team achieve its best possible result, and I'm sure as a team player he will do everything to support the team."

He added: "Mathematically it's very difficult for him to win the championship.

"But he's a smart guy, an important part of the team, and I've every confidence he will be doing his best to help the team achieve its objective for the championship."

Although Red Bull can clinch their third consecutive constructors' crown at the Yas Marina circuit, the inference was obvious.

Horner believes Webber will do the right thing if required, avoiding the possibility of having to directly impose a team order upon the Australian.

Asked whether he had spoken to Webber about team orders, Horner added: "You can talk about so many scenarios, and then the scenario you haven't talked about is the one that comes up.

"Mark is a bright guy, he's been around a long time, he's a key member of the team and he'll be doing his best. His primary objective will be to ensure we achieve the constructors' championship, and also for us that we've both drivers ahead of Fernando.

"He was desperately unlucky last week (in India) not to keep Fernando behind after having to run reduced power in the KERS (power-boost system) for most of the race. He'll be driving his best to ensure we have two Red Bulls right up at the front end."

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