Tensions between Red Bull drivers?

According to the latest rumours, the tension between the Red Bull drivers is skyrocketing. Apart from the Brawn duo, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber currently drive the strongest car on the 2009 grid and are separated by only 1,5 points in the battle for third place in the championship.

After finishing the race in Turkey behind his teammate, Sebastian Vettel was visibly sad that his bid for the championship had been blocked by the Australian.

“I don't think there is tension between Mark and Sebastian,” said David Coulthard, Webber's teammate in the past and now an advisor to the Milton Keynes team.

Speaking from Lima, Peru, where he demonstrated with an F1 car, the Scotsman said internal rivalries were normal in the world of F1.

“You certainly can't have two winners, so by definition if you're winning, your partner is losing. This has always been the case in F1,” explained Coulthard.

In his BBC column, Webber admitted that trying to beat his young teammate is a great source of motivation.

“It's the first time I have a teammate who goes so fast and that's what I've always said, at this level you want to compete with the best,” he said.

“Vettel is one of the stars of the moment and has done a great job, but we are only separated by 1,5 points. People ask me if I feel under pressure but I think there is more pressure on Sebastian. According to people's view, I shouldn't be doing what I'm doing. People believe he is the new Schumacher,” Webber added.

The Australian said both are trying to gain the upper hand.

“In the last two or three races things have gone well for me and a little less for Sebastian but everything is fine between us,” Webber wrote, insisting that it is still early for Red Bull to choose the driver to aim for in the championship. “They could have put everything on Sebastian but he had an accident in Monaco so they still have to give both of them the best cars and the best chances to get the best possible results,” said the Australian.

Andre' Cotta