Jul.19 (GMM) Dietrich Mateschitz has dismissed the Silverstone front wing affair as "much too dramatised", declaring that Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel still have equal chances to win the 2010 world championship.

The energy drink company Red Bull's owner, an Austrian billionaire, insisted to Kleine Zeitung newspaper that German 23-year-old Vettel is not the team's preferred winner this year.

"Once again I say: we do not have a number one and a number two. Both drivers have cars with exactly the same specification. The problem with the new wing at Silverstone was the first exception," he said.

"Of course, the situation was not pleasant for Mark, but this was a little problem made into a large one.

"Our management was not diplomatic and perhaps not correct," he admitted, albeit insisting that Webber's 'number 2' comment after winning at Silverstone was also "unnecessary".

"But, on the other side, Mark did nothing wrong.

"We will not make them be quiet. Everyone can tell the truth; that is one of the highest virtues of Red Bull.

"There are no factions, although it is obvious that the two sides have their own driver firstly at heart.

"We have two drivers going for the world championship. Actually, it's a luxurious problem that many teams would like to have."

Mateschitz, 66, is confident about Red Bull's chances of winning in 2010.

"If you ask me today who will be champion, I would say 'one of our drivers'. But the pits must not interfere, because then the problems really begin."

He said appointing a number one is not in accordance with his "philosophy of racing". "Our drivers know that they first have the beat the other," said Mateschitz.

"I have no preference; as champion each of the two would be equally great to me."

And Mateschitz admitted that letting the drivers fight down to the wire could backfire and hand the title to an opponent.

"I think that is unlikely but I would not rule it out. And if it should happen, my God, we are talking about racing. The image of blood, sweat and tears is not by accident."

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version