Webber - how things can change

Mark Webber must now be wondering which way to turn.

Just over two weeks ago Webber was on top of the Formula One world, crowned the unofficial king of Monaco following his victory around the principality's tight, twisty, often unforgiving streets.

His celebrations were appreciably exuberant as the win, his second in succession from lights to flag after a week earlier triumphing in Spain, resulted in him throwing himself into the harbour.

The 33-year-old paid a small price as a mouthful or two of what is hardly the cleanest water in the world led to a sore throat.

But it was worth it knowing he had joined the sport's cognoscenti who had previously taken the chequered flag at the most glamorous motor sport venue in the world.

Ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix there was talk of Webber signing a new deal with Red Bull Racing, a matter of simply "sorting out the paperwork" according to team principal Christian Horner.

That was then, but what now after - to use his own words - "a disaster" of a race around Istanbul Park on Sunday after which the prevalent feeling was that he was being made the scapegoat?

A near-certain one-two was wrecked on lap 40 of the 58-lap race following a passing move by team-mate Sebastian Vettel that ended with the 22-year-old spinning into retirement and Webber requiring a new front wing.

Vettel's dismissive wave of the hand towards Webber as he trundled in front of the German, combined with the twirl of his right index finger around his temple to indicate the Australian was crazy was a clear indication as to who he felt was in the wrong.

Replays and on-board footage showed Vettel turn into Webber such was his desire to get off the dirty line as they powered into Turn 12 at over 180mph, mistakenly believing he would move over, only to horrifyingly discover he had no intention of giving an inch.

Television commentator Martin Brundle, after viewing the evidence, insisted the accident was "100%" of Vettel's own making.

In the post-race inquest there were recriminations, accusations and claims, with Vettel throwing the first verbal punch, stating Webber should have given him room.

In response, Webber was guarded, surprisingly so as he is a typical Aussie who has previously had no trouble in pointing an accusing finger when the occasion has merited.

Instead, Webber, adamant he was not responsible, urged journalists to "dig a little deeper", the inference obvious that something untoward had taken place.

And so the digging began, initially with Helmut Marko, Red Bull's motor sport advisor and right-hand man to owner Dietrich Mateschitz who was clear in his own mind Webber was at fault.

Marko's stone-faced, unequivocal verdict was delivered just moments after he had watched replays of the incident on television.

Then came Horner, and here is where the story gets interesting as you would expect the man in charge to be in possession of the full facts given the data and telemetry at his disposal on the pit wall.

As Horner was grilled, with at least 30 dictaphones thrust towards his face from all directions, he initially suggested Webber's prime tyres were perhaps fading at that stage.

Then Horner, whilst accusing Vettel of pulling over too early, also claimed his two drivers did not give each other room as they were too far over to the left of the track.

Webber, though, had merely held the middle ground down the long straight, as he was entitled to do, not deviating once.

Asked specifically if Webber had been told to turn down his engine, Horner replied: "Absolutely not. They were both on the same engine mode."

Strange then that an hour later, in the almost immediate post-race debrief that Horner should state Webber "had changed down into a fuel-saving mode," and he had "put Sebastian on the dirty side."

Formula One loves nothing more than a good conspiracy theory, and the one doing the rounds on Sunday centred on a potential Anglo-Austrian divide within the team, with the obvious bias towards the latter nation, and in turn towards young German Vettel.

As Vettel is viewed as the golden boy in waiting, such a notion is hardly beyond the realms of fantasy, and although it was vehemently refuted by Horner, there will have been a seed of doubt planted in Webber's mind.

The team can hold all the clear-the-air talks they want, as they have vowed to do, but no matter the outcome, and for all their words of equality, Webber may struggle to block out thoughts of favouritism towards Vettel.

If so, the question then is: will he stay or will he go?