RED BULL boss Christian Horner has moved to deflate the row over team orders at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Sebastian Vettel ignored instructions and snatched victory from Mark Webber at Sepang – sparking a wave of controversy.
Horner revealed Vettel had apologised to his team-mate – as well as every other member of staff.
But there has been no word from the Australian and rumours have circulated suggesting he is considering his future at Red Bull.
His team chief, though, is confident the 36-year-old will stay and insisted the focus is now on the next race.
Horner, 39, said: “He is big enough to know there was no malice or intent from the team to create any situation like that.
“He is in a car capable of winning grands prix, and hopefully going for a championship, so I’ve no doubt Mark will see out the season with us."
He added: “Sebastian has accepted what he has done was wrong.
“He has apologised to the team, apologised to every single member of staff for his actions because he recognises the team is vitally important, and being part of a team is a crucial aspect of being able to challenge for those championships.”
The Brit later revealed he understood the fans wanting to see the drivers go at it hammer and tongs.
But he emphasised that he had a duty to rein in his charges for the good of the outfit.
Horner said: “Of course as a purist you want to see the drivers race. What they produced was good wheel to wheel racing.
“But when you are steadying the ship your responsibility is to the 600 people who work for the team.
“They don’t get paid for what the drivers do – it’s what the team does – so you have to make sure the team does well.”
Video: Marko insists all is well at Red Bull
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