There are some reports in Australia which are doing the rounds that suggest there was a legitimate reason why Webber was put on the hard compound tyre first, then was put on the medium compound whilst Vettel was put on the medium compund first and hard compound second.
Firstly, they are saying that because the race started with both drivers on inter they didn't need to run both dry tyre compounds during the race. So people here in Australia are asking questions why Webber was not told to just stay out on the hard compounds, or why he wasn't fitted with another set of hard compund tyres when he was at the time clearly the fastest man on the track with them on.
The order of the tyre choice is also being discussed here in the media. They are asking why, if both drivers were put on one stint of hard compunds and one stint of medium compounds, Webber was put on the hard compounds first, and not Vettel. Some here believe that the Red Bull team were using Webber as a "test guinea-pig" during the race, because they didn't get a good enough chance to test these tyres out during free practice sessions on the Sepang track. They tested the hard compounds with Webber, and when they found that he was quicker on them than Seb was on the medium compounds, they made a decision to switch the tyres over at the following pit stop, where they put Seb on the hard tyres and Mark on the mediums.
Most reporters here in Australia agree that it was the right choice to put Seb on the hard compounds, but why not keep Webber on the hard compounds? They could have done this, because they both started the race on intermediate tyres. There are some motor sport reporters here in Australia who believe this was done deliberately to use Webber as a "test subject" during the race, in order to benefit Seb. Some reporters here have even suggsted that this "test subject" role may even be cruelly entered into Webber's contract.
Many reporters here believe Webber should not and will not re-sign for Red Bull next year. Some were critical of him re-signing new contracts with Red Bull two years ago, when he could have moved to Lotus (then Renault) or even Ferrari. They do not believe that Red Bull will ever let Webber win a Championship, even if it is proven over a season (sometime in the future) that he is faster than his teammate.
Reporters in the motor sports media in Australia believe Webber is good enough to win a World Championship, but he will never get that chance at Red Bull.
