Mark Webber vs Sebastian Vettel

The Battle within Red Bull

Following Red Bull's strong performance at the Monaco Grand Prix there is a growing chance the 2010 World Championship will become a two horse race between Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel. The RB5 is currently the fastest car on the grid and has now proven its speed on a range of different circuits. Red Bull is looking very good to stay competitive throughout the rest of the season.

Both Webber and Vettel are evenly matched and it's hard to predict who will be stronger on any given weekend. Sebastian just had the edge throughout much of 2009 but Mark has always been very close to his young teammate and is enjoying a stronger run of form at the moment.

There are 13 rounds remaining in 2010 so here is a look at how the two Red Bull drivers compared against each other at those races last year.

ISTANBUL

Vettel qualified on pole position but ran wide on lap one and slipped to second behind Jenson Button. He adopted a three stop strategy in an effort to reclaim the lead but the move did not pay off. Sebastian ended up in third place behind Webber but was undoubtedly the quicker Red Bull driver in Istanbul.

MONTREAL

The Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve was not on last year's calendar but Vettel raced well there in 2008 when he scored a point for Scuderia Toro Rosso. Webber has a best result of fifth place at the circuit which he set for Williams in 2005.

VALENCIA

Neither Red Bull driver was particularly quick at Valencia but it was Vettel that had the edge on Webber until his engine let him down.

SILVERSTONE

Vettel won the British Grand Prix by more than 15 seconds but had an easy afternoon thanks to Webber's troubles in qualifying. Mark was held up by Kimi Raikkonen on his hot lap and that delay quite possibly cost the Australian pole position. Mark was then caught behind Rubens Barrichello at the start of the race and was a long way behind Vettel by the time he moved into second place. Both drivers had the speed to win the Grand Prix but it was Vettel that turned that potential into a result.

HOCKENHEIM

Webber dominated last year's German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring and will dream of repeating such a commanding victory at Hockenheim in 2010.

BUDAPEST

Vettel outqualified Webber with a heavier car but then made a poor start and crashed into Kimi Raikkonen at the first corner. It was a costly mistake for Vettel who retired with suspension failure. Webber drove very well to come home second and set the fastest lap of the race.

SPA FRANCORCHAMPS

The two Red Bull drivers were roughly equal at Spa Francorchamps although it was Vettel that ended up on the podium. Both had to potential to finish in third place but Mark was handed a drive through penalty for an unsafe release from the pits.

MONZA

Vettel and Webber were very close once again, but Mark qualified just behind his teammate and was caught up in an accident that spoiled his race on lap one. Sebastian went on to finish 8th.

SINGAPORE

Vettel outqualfied and outraced Webber in Singapore before the Australian retired with brake failure.

SUZUKA

Vettel scored the most impressive win of his career in Japan but Webber also had the pace to claim victory. Mark started from the pitlane after crashing in practice and then made three pitstops in the first four laps with headrest issues and a puncture. Webber never had a chance of reaching the points but was just as quick as Vettel all weekend and set the fastest lap of the race. On raw speed there was little between the two drivers and Webber may have felt this was a potential win that got away.

KOREA

The Yeongam County circuit in South Korea will be brand new to Formula One in 2010 so both drivers will be keen to seek an advantage by learning the circuit quickly.

SAO PAULO

Vettel was unable to make his tyres work during the wet qualifying session and had to start the race in 16th. Whilst he did well to move into 4th by the end of the race, Webber was stronger all weekend and claimed his second career victory.

ABU DHABI

Vettel was comfortably faster than Webber in the season's final race and was 17 seconds ahead of his teammate at the chequered flag. It was Sebastian's fourth win of the season.

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Posted by Martin Porter. - Follow him on twitter @mpondaweb.

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• Thanks for that rundown. Brings me one step closer to the weekend's race. Cheers.
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