Still no number 1 status for Webber at Red Bull

With only four races to run after Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix, Red Bull appears no closer to making championship leader Mark Webber its number 1 bet for the world championship.

The Australian, 24 points ahead of Sebastian Vettel, has struggled relative to his front row-sitting teammate in Singapore, qualifying three paces behind the sister RB6.

"We have two drivers competing for the world championship and we will continue supporting them until for one of them it is not mathematically and practically possible for them to win the championship," team boss Christian Horner said in Singapore.

But Webber, 34, answered "yes" after a long pause when asked by British television BBC if he would accept preferred status for the balance of the season.

"For me it's an unique opportunity that I might never get again," he also said in an interview with Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.

"But I can't yet say 'Hey Seb, let me have this opportunity because you might have the chance for another ten years or more'," added Webber.

At the same time, he concedes that - despite some earlier ructions within the Austrian camp - Red Bull would be happy if he wins the title.

"It was rumoured that Helmut (Marko) would prefer Vettel, because they might have a closer relationship. But he would be very happy if I won the world championship today," the Australian insisted.

"If we did it, everyone would have a headache from the party, no matter which of us is champion. The team situation is completely neutral," added Webber.

He also played down rumours he is disaffected at Red Bull, revealing that when he decides to stop driving, he will probably continue to work with the energy drinks company.

"What Red Bull did when I broke my leg was impressive and I'll never forget it," he said.

"They backed me when I was totally in the shit. Yes, maybe we can continue to do something together," added Webber, who is under contract only until the end of 2011.

Source: Motorsport

Alonso evasive on number 1 role at Ferrari

Fernando Alonso was evasive on Friday amid suggestions he is clearly Ferrari's number 1 bet to be 2010 world champion.

After the Hockenheim team orders affair, it is claimed the Spaniard might be considered the title favourite, given that rivals Red Bull and McLaren appear less inclined to favour one driver over his teammate.

"Each team will be giving 100 per cent with both their drivers for the common good of the team," Alonso, whose Ferrari teammate is Felipe Massa, is quoted by Marca newspaper from a sponsor event.

"Felipe Massa will be giving everything and it's the same with McLaren and Red Bull," he insisted.

However, McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh insists the British outfit will not be departing from recent tradition by, for example, now backing Lewis Hamilton over Jenson Button.

"What the drivers do requires extreme dedication," he is quoted by Germany's Auto Bild.

"F1 is far more dangerous than it seems and it would be immoral to ask someone to risk his life for someone else," added Whitmarsh.

After winning at Monza, Alonso thinks the next circuits will suit Red Bull's RB6.

"From now until the end of the championship, I don't see the circuits either favouring or not favouring the F10," he said.

"At some tracks, Red Bull will have an advantage," Alonso acknowledged.

Source: Motorsport.com

McLaren not ready to make Lewis No 1

McLaren have made it clear that they are not ready to hand the number one status to Lewis Hamilton just yet.

Hamilton is leading the World Championship by 12 points from team-mate Jenson Button with nine races to go in the season.

Their main rival for the Championships Red Bull have already indicated that they will give preference to the points leader when it comes to new equipment, but McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh says they won't be doing the same.

"I'm sure Jenson hasn't given way to Lewis's Championship charge," he said during a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team phone-in. "He'll want to win this weekend, he'll want to move that momentum back in his favour - and that's how it should be.

"Jenson is second in the Drivers' Championship and has had two great wins this year.

"He's proven he's a great racing driver, a great reader of the race and also someone who can recover from 14th to fourth [at Silverstone] is a phenomenally quick and adept racing driver and someone who has a lot of determination."

Whitmarsh also warns it's too early to dismiss Ferrari and Mercedes' challenge in the World Championships.

"I'd love to believe that but experience has told me you can't write Ferrari off," he said. "They're a strong team, technically capable, with fantastic resources. They've got a former world champion and one other top-line driver.

"Mercedes similarly have another multiple world champion and a very good driver in Nico as well."

Source: Planet F1