Multi21: The Explosive Rivalry That Redefined Team Orders in Formula 1

Formula 1 is a sport built on a complex blend of partnerships and rivalries. Drivers within the same team must cooperate for the good of the collective while simultaneously battling fiercely against one another for personal glory. This paradox often results in tension simmering just below the surface—sometimes erupting into high-profile controversies. Few moments capture this delicate and combustible dynamic better than the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix and the infamous “Multi21” incident involving Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber at Red Bull Racing.

The Paradox of Partnership and Rivalry

At the heart of every Formula 1 team are two drivers, expected to maximize the team’s success by scoring points and ideally finishing one-two. Yet, these drivers are also direct competitors, each aiming to prove themselves as the best on the grid. The team’s management must constantly balance supporting both drivers while avoiding conflicts that could damage morale or performance.

The “Multi21” incident highlighted how this balance can fracture spectacularly. The codeword “Multi21” was a team order instructing Vettel to hold position behind Webber, who was running first. Yet, Vettel disobeyed, overtook Webber, and won the race. What seemed like a simple case of defiance was, in reality, the culmination of years of mistrust, rivalry, and perceived favoritism that had poisoned the relationship between the two Red Bull teammates.

Setting the Stage: Vettel and Webber’s Early Years at Red Bull

By 2009, Red Bull Racing had transformed from an ambitious newcomer to a serious title contender. With Adrian Newey’s revolutionary RB5, the team possessed one of the fastest cars on the grid. When Sebastian Vettel joined Red Bull, the combination promised a new era of dominance.

Mark Webber, already at Red Bull since 2007, brought experience and grit. Known for his toughness and outspoken nature, Webber was a respected force on track. Yet, from the moment Vettel arrived, it became clear to many that the team’s long-term future was centered on the young German.

Webber was not willing to concede a supporting role easily. He believed in his ability to win and fight for championships. Over the next four seasons, this belief clashed with Vettel’s meteoric rise, resulting in some of the fiercest intra-team rivalries seen in modern Formula 1.

Early Flashpoints: Clashes and Controversies

The first serious clash occurred at the 2010 Turkish Grand Prix. Webber was leading the race with Vettel chasing when the two collided on the back straight. Vettel spun out, retiring from the race, while Webber limped home third. The incident sparked public tension, with Red Bull’s senior adviser Helmut Marko implying Webber was at fault. Webber, however, argued he had left enough space, and Vettel had turned into him. The paddock saw this as a sign that Vettel was favored internally.

Tensions flared again at Silverstone that year when a new front wing upgrade was given to Vettel after Webber’s part broke in practice. Webber viewed this as clear favoritism. His response was emphatic—he won the race and cheekily taunted the team over radio with the now-iconic line, “Not bad for a number two driver.” The jab encapsulated Webber’s frustration at being perceived as the second driver despite his efforts.

Despite these clashes, Vettel’s star kept rising. He won consecutive championships in 2010, 2011, and 2012, while Webber increasingly felt marginalized within the team.

The Growing Rift: Design, Decisions, and Discontent

Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner maintained that both drivers were treated equally, but Helmut Marko’s favoritism toward Vettel was unmistakable. Additionally, Adrian Newey’s car designs increasingly played to Vettel’s aggressive style, further alienating Webber. The message was clear—Webber was not the priority.

Nevertheless, Webber delivered strong performances, including a memorable win at Silverstone in 2012, where he chased down Fernando Alonso to take victory. Despite this, the internal balance remained unchanged—Vettel was the team’s number one, and Webber the support act.

By 2013, the relationship was fragile. Vettel was a triple world champion, while Webber’s window for championship contention was closing. He needed the team’s trust to succeed but felt it slipping away.

Multi21: The Breaking Point in Malaysia

The 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix set the stage for the inevitable explosion. Both Red Bulls were leading after the final pit stops, with Webber ahead of Vettel. The team radioed a clear order: “Multi21” — instructing Webber, car number two, to hold position ahead of Vettel, car number one. Both drivers were to manage their pace, tires, and fuel carefully to secure a one-two finish.

Webber complied, turning down his engine and slowing to protect the result. Vettel, however, ignored the order. Closing the gap, he launched a fierce attack, forcing his way past Webber after several tense laps of wheel-to-wheel racing. Vettel took the lead and went on to win, leaving a furious Webber feeling betrayed.

The aftermath was tense and telling. In the cool down room, Webber muttered “Multi21, Seb. Multi21,” emphasizing the broken trust. On the podium, Webber’s frustration was visible, while Vettel looked uncomfortable. Initially, Vettel apologized for putting himself ahead of the team, but weeks later, he reversed his stance, declaring he was a racer and that Webber did not deserve the win. The public rift was undeniable.

For Webber, the incident confirmed what he had long suspected—that Vettel was the favored son at Red Bull. By season’s end, Webber announced his retirement from Formula 1, moving to endurance racing with Porsche.

Team Orders in Formula 1: A Double-Edged Sword

Team orders have long been a controversial aspect of Formula 1. From Ferrari’s infamous 2002 Austrian Grand Prix driver swap to Mercedes’ decision at the 2013 Malaysian GP to keep Nico Rosberg behind Lewis Hamilton, these orders are often necessary to secure the best outcome for the team.

What made the Red Bull Multi21 incident particularly significant was the collapse of trust it revealed. Webber followed the rules; Vettel chose not to. And instead of disciplining Vettel, Red Bull tacitly accepted his defiance, prioritizing their star driver’s ambition over team harmony.

This wasn’t just about a single race; it was the boiling over of years of unresolved tension. From collisions to perceived favoritism, the relationship had deteriorated to the point where cooperation was impossible.

Legacy: Lessons from Multi21

Multi21 remains one of the defining moments of the Vettel-Webber rivalry and one of the most memorable team order controversies in Formula 1 history. It demonstrated Vettel’s relentless will to win, even at the expense of team unity. For Webber, it was the ultimate confirmation that he was never truly equal within the team he had helped build.

For Red Bull Racing, Multi21 exposed the risks of allowing internal rivalries to spiral out of control. The incident highlighted that managing two elite athletes requires not only mechanical and tactical excellence but also psychological insight and firm leadership.

Formula 1 teams today still wrestle with balancing competition and cooperation between teammates. Multi21 serves as a stark reminder that clear communication, respect for agreements, and equitable treatment are crucial to maintaining trust—and that breaking these bonds can have consequences far beyond a single race.