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How a record 10th WRC title bid was reignited after Ogier vs Neuville epic

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AO Racing survives late thriller at Watkins Glen for first LMP2 win of 2026 season

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No smiles from Denny Hamlin despite snatching the points lead from Tyler Reddick

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Arvid Lindblad reveals emotional hand-drawn helmet for first F1 British GP

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Press mocks Vettel's 'phantom' gearbox problem

Global Motorsport Media

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing

The international press suspects Red Bull imposed team orders during the season ending Brazilian Grand Prix.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing
Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: xpb.cc

The team has already strongly denied the claims, but publications like Spain's Marca suspect Sebastian Vettel pulled over for Mark Webber because of a "phantom problem" with his gearbox.

"Webber gets the loyalty prize," said Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Agreed Corriere della Sera: "Vettel gave Webber the gift of the last crumbs after a huge feast and saved him a trip to the psychologist."

Spain's Diario Sport added: "Nobody believes Vettel really had a problem with the gearbox."

Austria's Der Standard said the team order "made sense", given Webber's mathematical chance of finishing the drivers' championship in second place.

Maybe they forget that team orders can now be issued freely

Stefano Domenicali

Ferrari team boss Stefano Domenicali is quoted as joking to La Stampa: "Maybe they forget that team orders can now be issued freely."

Agreed Fernando Alonso: "I don't care, except to say that they were bothered with certain behaviours when we did them."

Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, however, reported that Vettel personally watched when his gearbox was taken apart after the race and confirmed that "there was almost no oil left in it".

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