Webber was fuel-saving as Vettel ignored Red Bull orders in Malaysia
Mark Webber was running reduced engine power to save fuel when Sebastian Vettel overtook him for victory in the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix, according to new reports.
Mark Webber was running reduced engine performance to save fuel as Sebastian Vettel ignored Red Bull team orders and passed him for the win at the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix, according to new details published by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. The revelation adds a further layer to the so-called ‘Multi-21’ controversy that has dominated Formula One headlines since the race.
The Red Bull drivers were instructed to hold position in the closing laps at Sepang, with Webber ahead and Vettel following. While the team had publicly cited concerns about tyre degradation and pressure from the Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Auto Motor und Sport reports that Webber’s car was also running low on fuel, forcing him to turn down his engine settings.
According to the report, Webber had consumed more fuel than Vettel during the first 42 laps of the race. As a result, he was already in the red on the team’s fuel calculations, while Vettel had the advantage of running in his teammate’s slipstream for 12 laps and using DRS to reduce drag and fuel use.
Why Red Bull issued team orders
Red Bull’s official line after the race was that the team order, known as ‘Multi-21’—was intended to protect both drivers’ tyres and secure a 1-2 finish, rather than risk a costly on-track battle. However, the new information indicates that the team was also concerned Webber could run out of fuel if he continued at racing speeds, making the order to hold position as much about fuel management as about tyre life or track position.
The Mercedes team was also managing fuel concerns in the closing stages, with both Hamilton and Rosberg under orders to save fuel and hold position behind the Red Bulls. The situation created a tense finish among the leading four cars, but it was the intra-team battle at Red Bull that drew the most scrutiny.
Aftermath and ongoing fallout
Vettel’s decision to ignore the Multi-21 order and pass Webber led to a public apology and ongoing tension within Red Bull. The team’s internal dynamics remained under the spotlight, with speculation about longer-term consequences for both drivers. For more on Vettel’s response after the incident, seeVettel Admits Fault After Ignoring Team Orders in Malaysia.
