Tensions within the Red Bull racing team appear to have heightened after a crash between teammates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber during Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix.
The calamitous incident allowed McLaren's Lewis Hamilton to claim a victory despite Red Bull having led the race up until that point.
Fueling rumours of a feud between the drivers, Red Bull team strategist Helmut Marko backed the Vettel overtaking move that resulted in the coming together, implying that Webber was in the wrong.
"He (Vettel) had to attack otherwise he would have got overtaken by Hamilton (who was in third place)," Marko said.
"Vettel was already ahead, at least two metres ahead, and there was a corner to the left side coming so he had to go for the line. Vettel was so much faster that he had to pass. " Marko concluded.
The 41st lap crash was shrouded in confusion.
Vettel, attempting to pass Webber on the inside, was marginally as he turned right to get a line into the looming corner, but he slammed into Webber, sending both cars spinning out of control.
The disastrous episode put Vettel out of the race, while Webber, who had been leading the Grand Prix, quickly pitted to repair some damage but was only able to finish third.
Vettel expressed his frustrations after the race, and defended his move to try and overtake Webber.
"If you watch it on the TV, you can see what happened. I'm not in the happiest of moods. I was on the inside going into the corner." Vettel claimed.
"We were all on the same pace during the race, I think I was a bit quicker than Mark for two or three laps, I was catching him and thought I could get him on the back straight."
"Mark's car hit my rear right wheel and I went off - there's not much more to say. This is something that happens, no one needs it, but there's not much you can do now."
Webber, who leads the Drivers' Championship with 93 points, defended his move, claiming he was surprised by Vettel's attempted move.
"Sebastian had a bit of a top speed advantage, he went down the inside and we were side by side. I was surprised when he came right suddenly, as I was holding my racing line. It happened very, very fast and it's a shame for the team. Not an ideal day", The Australian said.
"We've got great character in our team and two fast drivers at the front - we're not dicing for 15th and 16th - we're going for victories so there's clearly a lot at stake. I'll have a chat with Sebastian about it, we might have a difference of opinion but we'll be adults about it and press on."
"Neither of us wanted to make contact with each other. It's obviously not ideal, but it happened. In the end it wasn't the result that either of us wanted"
The crash allowed Lewis Hamilton to take first place, and set up a McLaren one-two that seemed unlikely before the incident.
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