Mark Webber thinks the time is approaching for Red Bull to prioritize its drivers and choose a No. 1 with six Formula One races left this season.
Webber's second-place finish at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday moved him 28 points clear of teammate Sebastian Vettel and three points back of overall leader Lewis Hamilton of McLaren.
"It's still too early at the moment but not too far away," Webber said. "I think it depends on how hungry we are to try and do that."
Webber has won four races this season, two more than Vettel.
But a No. 1 tug-of-war has been an unwanted distraction for the Austrian team ever since a collision between the pair in Turkey, when Vettel crashed out after attempting a poor overtaking move. Vettel never apologized and appeared to suggest Webber was at fault.
Among the leading teams, only Ferrari has made a No. 1 pick as it goes with Fernando Alonso over Felipe Massa down the stretch. Alonso trails Hamilton by 41 points while Massa is 73 back.
Despite Webber's comments, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has no intention yet of choosing between the 34-year-old Webber and Vettel _ the 23-year-old driver many expect to be a champion.
"It's still a long way to go. In reality, it's nothing _ there is still 150 points available," Horner said. "Lewis and Mark have pulled away a little bit from the pack but that can change very quickly."
Hamilton doesn't expect McLaren to prioritize either with defending F1 champion Jenson Button in fourth place _ 35 points behind.
"You have seen in the last few races how quickly things can change so we still have a long way to go, and many points to be grabbed by any of us drivers fighting for the championship," Hamilton said. "The closest rival to me at the moment in terms of points is Mark but I still think the championship is open."
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