Mark Webber said he has cleared the air with his Red Bull team after accusing them of favouring Sebastian Vettel at the British Grand Prix.
Silverstone race-winner Webber was fuming after Red Bull boss Christian Horner opted to remove a new front wing design from his car- and hand it to his team-mate German Sebastian Vettel just minutes before Saturday's qualifying.
Webber managed to hold his tongue on Saturday despite qualifying in second behind Vettel, but after winning Sunday's race he quipped on the team radio, "not bad for a number two driver" and later announced that he would never have re-signed for the team if he knew how he was going to be treated.
His comments rekindled the favouritism fire, which had been smouldering since Horner's decision to support Vettel after the two drivers collided at the Turkish Grand Prix.
In a bid to avoid further civil war within the team, Horner suggested the team held a second round of 'clear the air' talks and has since admitted that he had regretted not speaking to Webber before making his decision.
Having had time to reflect on his outbursts, 33-year-old Webber issued a statement on his website on Thursday, insisting that the matter was now water under the bridge.
"My disappointment on Saturday after qualifying spilled over into Sunday but it was simply due to the fact that I, along with every other driver on the grid, wanted the best possible chance of success," said Webber.
"Sebastian received the newer front wing for reasons which were not clearly explained to me until Saturday late afternoon. Obviously I can see why a team may at certain points have to favour a driver with more points in the championship, if there are only enough resources to fully support one of us.
"We've already debriefed the race weekend at the factory and have cleared the air. It's now understood that, should we face this unlikely dilemma again, preference will go to the championship points leader."
Webber also conceded that he could have handled the situation better himself.
"Of course things get said in the heat of the moment which, with hindsight goggles on, probably shouldn't have been said. Formula 1 is a highly charged and fiercely competitive arena where emotions and adrenalin do run high from time to time like in many sports and my comment on the radio after the race was an example of Australian sarcasm."
Webber added that his relationships with both Vettel and Horner were not tarnished by the latest fiasco.
"Christian Horner and I have known each other for many years; we're friends and have a strong mutual respect which continues and extends to other activities, such as our GP3 team and interest in finding and nurturing young racing talent.
"The respect within the team extends to the drivers. I know I have a very good driver as a team-mate and I wouldn't want it any other way. We share information freely in team meetings and contribute to the development and improvement of our cars.
"Seb and I are not enemies, we're just two drivers that are pushing hard and want to do the best for ourselves and the team, it's as simple as that.
"The British Grand Prix was a wonderful result for myself and the team; however time moves fast and looking in the mirror for too long doesn't prepare us for Germany. We've moved on."
Copyright 2010 AFP Global Edition
