Red Bull need crisis management after Bosphorus debacle (News Feature)

By John Bagratuni May 31, 2010, 9:26 GMT

Hamburg - McLaren were rejoicing in their one-two from Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button but the real talk of the Turkish Grand Prix was the infamous collision between Red Bull team-mates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.

'Red Bull give you wins,' was the sarcastic headline of British daily The Sun on Monday in reference to the drinks makers' slogan 'Red Bull gives you wings.'

The paper said that the crash 'sparked civil war' and Germany's Bild spoke of 'cold war' between Webber and Vettel, giving them the dubious distinction of 'stupid idiots of the year.'

Webber and Vettel were leading the Istanbul race ahead of the McLarens when Vettel attempted to overtake the Australian in the 41st lap.

Webber stood his ground, Vettel slightly swerved to his right as the cars touched. Vettel spun off and had to retire while Webber managed to limp home in third place to salvage the championship lead.

For Hamilton, 'it was great to watch, it was like an action movie in HD or 3D, it was fantastic. It was right ahead of me.'

'I just saw Sebastian go up the inside and Mark held his line. I don9t think he really had much room to move to the right and I don't think there was necessarily a reason for Sebastian to try to move to the right,' said Hamilton.

Vettel bore the brunt of the blame but protested his innocence. Webber was furiou and raised conspiracy theories when he told the post-race news conference that 'maybe' there was a reason for Vettel's attack and that the reporters 'need to dig more, somewhere else.'

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said that the team had not favoured Vettel.

'Mark had changed down into a fuel-saving mode that cost him a bit of performance. Seb had managed to save an extra kilogram of fuel - as both cars start the race with the same amount. So effectively he had one more lap of the optimum engine mode,' Horner said.

Looking at the crash itself, he said: 'The one thing I always ask the drivers is that, yes, they can race each other, but give each other room, and that9s exactly what didn't happen.

'They were too far over on the left, Sebastian got a run on the inside of Mark, but then came across too early. They didn't give each other room; it's as simple as that.'

Hamilton mentioned an incident with Vettel earlier in the race: 'He was so aggressive as he tried to turn into me, but fortunately I had enough space. It was the exact same thing as he did to Mark.'

Vettel also raised eyebrows when he made the sign for a madman by twirling his finger around his head. It will remain unknown whether he meant himself or Webber.

Red Bull will need some instant crisis management as the least it can afford is a bitter rivalry between their drivers such as the one between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, and Fernando Alonso and Hamilton, at McLaren.

Talks were not possible on Sunday as Vettel swiftly left the scene, but the drivers are expected to meet later this week with team officials at the Red Bull headquarters in Milton Keynes.

The team must also acknowledge that for the first time this season McLaren has managed to match their pace as the collision may also have to do with the pressure Hamilton and Button were applying.

'Such an achievement for us to really be able to take the battle to them ... I don't know how it will pan out for the next races but they have got a great car and we have got a great car. Me and Jenson were able at least to compete with them and push our hardest to be on their tails,' said Hamilton.

However, McLaren must also watch out as Hamilton was left stunned by a late attack from Button which he was able to counter in the next lap for his first season victory.

'Hamilton and Button left on friendly terms but the team must hope their relationship will survive the next 12 races with both right in the thick of the championship fight,' said The Sun.