Vettel reopens wounds,says Webber didnt deserve favour at Sepang

The world champion maintained he had not understood the team order to stay behind Webber,even though he acknowledged that the code Multi-21 meaning the No. 2 car stays ahead of the No. 1 car had been in use at the team for a long time.

Despite his claims of a mistake,Vettel said he likely would have ignored any further order from the team to give back the lead. I would have thought about it and would probably have done the same thing because Mark doesnt deserve that, he said.

Vettels candid comments revealed the depths of division within Red Bull. Asked whether there was trust between him and Webber,Vettel said,I would not call it trust to be honest,we have a professional relationship. I never had support from his side of the garage,I have a lot of support from the team and the team is supporting us both the same way.

The German had apologised to team staff for breaking team rules but laughed when asked if he had been punished in any way: There are lots of marks on my back, and What do you expect to happen? Make a suggestion.

The relationship between Vettel and Webber appeared fractured beyond repair,and it looked unlikely that the Australian would get another contract after his one-year deal expires at the end of the season. Webber said on Thursday that initial reports that he considered quitting immediately in Malaysia were wrong,but said the accumulation of incidents of perceived favoritism towards Vettel led to career options crossing his mind.

Malaysia is not just one event in this scenario, Webber said. There are lots of things that come into your mind. We have to try to keep the emotions down but its part of our job.

Year by year is how its always been for me, he said,when asked about his future with the team. During the summer I will talk to Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz and we will go from there. I have never ever made decisions on my career at this point in the season. I dont see why I should make any decisions at the moment for my future.

The events in Malaysia also raised speculation about the position of team principal Christian Horner,as they showed Vettel can ignore instructions with impugnity.

Webber unveils severe look

Webber recognised his mistake on Thursday after returning with a mean new look to a Formula One paddock buzzing with talk of war at Red Bull between the Australian and world champion team mate Vettel.

It was a little bit of a screw up,8221; grinned the driver when asked whether the severe haircut was a reflection of his mood after Vettel ignored team orders and passed him to win the last race in Malaysia. Once he the barber had started,he was on his way. The haircut is not part of the new look or new feel. I wanted to get in and out quite quick,so I said just shave it off, he explained. 8220;When he was half way through I thought 8216;That8217;s a bit short now8217;8230;but anyway it doesn8217;t matter,he said.

Webber may have lost some of his hair but his head remained firmly screwed on. He left no doubt that he was up for the fight ahead,swiftly scotching any suggestion that he had contemplated quitting after the storm at Sepang.

8220;I8217;m definitely keen to finish the season off,8221; he said,looking refreshed after an Easter break surfing on Australian beaches. 8220;Obviously a lot of people were even questioning that one,which was certainly not something that was in my mind.

8220;I8217;m definitely keen to race this year and put together a very strong campaign and challenge for more wins,and you do enough of that and some more things can happen,8221; added the 36-year-old,whose contract runs out at the end of the year.