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No team orders, insists Horner

Christian Horner says both his drivers will be treated equally © Getty Images

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Red Bull boss Christian Horner says there will be no team orders in favour of either Mark Webber or Sebastian Vettel as the fight for the drivers' title goes down to the wire.

Webber heads into next weekend's inaugural Korean Grand Prix 14 points clear of Vettel and Fernando Alonso but Horner says that the points difference counts for nothing in terms of team favouritism.

"We have a luxury problem," Horner told the official F1 website. "For the team it is fantastic that we have two drivers eligible for the title. And we don't need to dig too much into psychoanalysis to understand that if two guys are fighting for the most prestigious title in motorsport then tension is part of the game. We have to make sure that neither feels disadvantaged. There are still 75 points to be allocated. I promise that the team will not interfere in the race for the title."

Webber's manager, Flavio Briatore, recently suggested that Red Bull put their backing behind his driver to help him secure the title. But Horner quickly played down Briatore's thoughts on the matter.

"What else should he say as Mark's manager? My answer is a clear 'no'. Of course, I can imagine that Flavio would prefer it if we go the Ferrari way and put our efforts behind only one driver, but that would be wrong, as both are right in the middle of the fight for the title. The only thing we expect from them is that they don't hamper each other.

"Sebastian has to fight for every single point. But after his Japan win the pressure has eased a bit because in the end he has nothing to lose. Mark has to do a balancing act. He must not drive too defensively but on the other hand must keep his margin over his competitors."

Horner added that it is not just a two-way battle for the title between his drivers and that he expects Ferrari and McLaren to bounce back, particularly in Korea and Abu Dhabi.

"You should also consider that we are heading for tracks that suit the Ferraris and McLarens better. I am a bit concerned about the Abu Dhabi race. McLaren was doing very well there last year, even though their car was not as good as ours, and it is a fact that we have a bit of a horsepower disadvantage. That could make a difference in Abu Dhabi and probably also in Korea."

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