Christian Horner bears no grudges against Jenson Button despite the McLaren driver's attempts to get Sebastian Vettel penalised in Japan.
Starting first and second on the grid with Vettel ahead of Button, the Red Bull driver was quickly across the track to cover Button's challenge.
However, in a move that led to a stewards' investigation but no action, Vettel squeezed Button onto the grass and stayed in the lead.
Button was not happy with German's antics and complained to his team over the radio.
Horner, though, reckons it a "fair" move.
"He covered the inside. He squeezed him (Button). It was about fair. He wanted to win the race," he told the BBC.
"Jenson did the prudent thing and backed off. We looked at the replay a couple of times and thought it was okay.
"Of course Jenson was going to make a fuss of it. He wanted him to get a penalty. That's all part of the gamesmanship."
Button went on to win the race, leapfrogging Vettel in the second round of pit stops, however, even winning he could do nothing to prevent Vettel, who finished P3 after also losing out to Fernando Alonso, from securing his second World title.
The German went down in F1's history books as the sport's youngest ever back-to-back Champ and the youngest double World Champion.
"It's unbelievable. It was a good race. We would have loved to win it but Sebastian is World Champion," said Horner.
"He's driven magnificently and thoroughly deserves it. It's just been a wonderful year and Seb can be proud of what he's achieved. Just phenomenal."
Related Links
Button wins the race, Seb takes the title
