Sep.7 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel is learning from his mistakes, according to Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

The 23-year-old German's title chances this year have been dented by a series of setbacks, including driver errors.

The latest was his crash into Jenson Button two weeks ago at Spa-Francorchamps, triggering a wave of criticism about his readiness to be world champion.

"He's a great driver, but he's young and not so experienced -- he's learning," Horner is quoted by the German language Sportwoche.

"What he has to do now is remain calm and focused," said the Briton, referring to Vettel's highly competitive car, but 31 point deficit in the drivers' standings.

Teammate Mark Webber is widely regarded as Red Bull's less preferred driver, but he has won more grands prix than any other rival in 2010, and is mere points from heading the championship.

"Mark is in the form of his life," acknowledged Horner.

But he insists that neither Vettel or Webber occupy the role of team number one.

"We definitely favour neither one of them, they both have the same opportunities," said Horner.

"We try to operate as transparently as possible."

Red Bull's other problem is the awkward relationship between the drivers, not helped by perceptions that team consultant Helmut Marko and Webber do not get along.

Australian Webber is believed to be much closer to Horner as well as team owner Dietrich Mateschitz.

Horner commented that it is understandable that he is "not as close with some people in the organisation as he is with others".

Webber does not hide the fact that Vettel is not his best friend.

"I concentrate on myself and do what I have to do," he told Austrian television 'Sport und Talk aus dem Hangar 7'.

"It's been a positive season for me. I cannot control Sebastian -- he does what he does. And obviously the team will make decisions in the future," added Webber.

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