Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has urged Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber to work with rather than against one another in their pursuit of the Formula One title.

Two years ago the duo were at loggerheads, even clashing on track during the Turkish Grand Prix, as a five-way scrap for the crown saw Vettel taking the honour at the death.

On this occasion they are again among five drivers in the hunt for the championship, but this time chasing Fernando Alonso in his Ferrari.

Webber is the Spaniard’s nearest pursuer in the standings going into today’s Belgian Grand Prix at 40 points adrift, with Vettel a further two points behind, followed closely by McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen, of Lotus.

Horner said: “The main objective is to get both drivers up there with Fernando.

“Two years ago 2010 was a big year for the team, it was the first time we won the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.

“We gave both drivers the opportunity to go for the title and it came down to that final race in Abu Dhabi, and it will be the same this year.

“Both drivers are fully in the race for this championship, and they both know they need each other to take points off Fernando.”

Horner is convinced times have changed within his team and that Webber and Vettel, while far from the best of friends behind the scenes, have at least learned from what occurred in 2010.

“The drivers have gone through different experiences together – good and bad,” added Horner.

As a team and as drivers, we’ve learned from it, they’ve learned from it, and there is a genuine respect between them.

“From a team point of view it’s very healthy to have two drivers who are pushing each other, who are running at the front. It will be no different in the remaining nine races that we’ll continue to give both guys the same opportunities.

“Ultimately it will be down to what they do on track, as it should be.”

Horner has also called on both men to go all guns blazing over the closing nine races that unfold over the next three months.

“In many respects the pressure is off our two drivers because they are doing the chasing rather than being the chased,” said Horner.

“They’ve nothing to lose in the last nine races other than to go for it.”