APRIL 10, 2013

Red Bull scraps team orders after affair

In the wake of the 'Multi-21' affair, Red Bull has abolished team orders.

"There will be no more team orders by us," the energy drink company's motor sport director Dr Helmut Marko told Germany's Sport Bild on Wednesday.

Sebastian Vettel ignored the team's instruction to stay behind leader Mark Webber in Malaysia recently, sparking the controversy.

The saga left team owner Dietrich Mateschitz "very unhappy", Marko admitted.

Austrian Marko also echoed billionaire Mateschitz's recent claim that Kimi Raikkonen is a candidate to drive for the reigning champions next year.

"Kimi Raikkonen is someone who is on our list (of candidates) for next year," confirmed Marko.

36-year-old Australian Webber's current contract runs out at the end of 2013.

He has been linked with a move to Porsche's 2014 Le Mans prototype project.

(GMM)