Motorsport: Red Bull boss upset with Alonso success

SYDNEY - Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner says Ferrari's "team orders" win in Germany this year would make a Fernando Alonso world championship "frustrating".

Horner has constantly had to stress neither Mark Webber or Sebastian Vettel would be receiving preferential treatment from Red Bull in this year's Formula One championship.

But Alonso, who holds an 11-point series lead from Australian Webber with two grands prix remaining, sparked controversy at July's German round when teammate Felipe Massa appeared to slow down and let the Spaniard through to claim the victory.

The sport's governing body, the FIA, later fined Ferrari US$100,000 for team orders but neither Massa nor Alonso received any points penalties.

And given his own team insists none of their drivers is classed as the No.1 in the Red Bull set-up, Horner concedes if Alonso does take the title it'll be tough to swallow.

"It would be frustrating because we've obviously worked under the auspices that team orders have been illegal," Horner told the BBC.

"The FIA made the ruling that they did, that's it, it's clear for all.

"We've just got to get on with it and try and do our talking on the circuit."

Despite a disastrous race in Korea, where Webber crashed out and Vettel suffered an engine failure while Alonso won to take the championship lead, Horner remained confident in his team's title ambitions.

"Both drivers still have a good chance, particularly Mark, to lift the big trophy at the end of the year," he said.

"That's what we're focused on, we can't change what's happened. We just need to focus on, first of all the Brazilian grand prix, and then the final race in Abu Dhabi.

"There's a big determination, both within the team and with both drivers, to really finish off what has been a strong season for us so far."

Horner also dismissed suggestions Webber had been reluctant to race at a rain-lashed Korean circuit, a mindframe that had led to his early crash.

"Both our drivers were happy with the timing of the restart, unfortunately Mark made a small mistake at turn 10 on the first lap of what was the first racing lap of the race," Horner said.

"That lost him a little bit of ground and obviously he was probably maybe a little over-eager to make the time up.

"Unfortunately in those conditions that bit him pretty hard. One of those things.

"Mark hasn't made many mistakes this year but unfortunately the timing in that race wasn't perfect and it was a great shame because it was a great opportunity to obviously score a lot of points."

The Brazilian grand prix will be held at the Interlagos circuit on Monday morning (NZ time).

- AAP