Sebastian Vettel is reported to have apologised to members of his Red Bull team following last weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.

Four days after the German went against team orders and overtook his teammate to take a win which has caused widespread outrage, the three-time champion has apologised to "every single member of staff" at the Austrian outfit's Milton Keynes HQ.

"He said he can't turn back the clock but he's accepted what he did was wrong," revealed team boss Christian Horner, according to Reuters. "He's apologised to the team and to every single member of staff for his actions, because he recognises the team is vitally important and being part of the team is a crucial aspect to being able to challenge for those championships."

Previously, Horner had admitted to Sky News that in view of the team's tyre and fuel concerns during Sunday's race it was decided to let (then) leader Webber win the race, that is until Vettel had other ideas.

"It was the intent of the team that Mark should win that race," said Horner, who also dismissed speculation about Webber going 'walkabout' for the remainder of the season.

"He's big enough to know that there was no malice, no intent from the team to create any situation like that," said Horner. "He's in a car that's capable of winning Grands Prix and hopefully going for a championship so I've got no doubt that Mark will see out the season with us."

As Sunday's shenanigans once again raises the thorny subject of team orders, and at a time many within the 'sport; insist the Formula One is about entertainment, Horner is under no illusion as to what his priority is, the 600 people employed by the team whose bonuses are dictated by its position in the Constructors' Championship.

"The responsibility is to make sure that the team achieves its maximum," he said.