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Mark Webber will only get better now that he has made the big breakthrough with his first grand prix triumph, according to his Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

The 32-year-old Australian took his first victory in Germany on Sunday, winning from pole position despite an early drive-through penalty.

"There is a big difference between thinking you can win and knowing you can win," Horner said at the Nuerburgring.

"Mark has crossed that hurdle... I remember Nigel Mansell taking a while to get going but once he got going he was pretty phenomenal and I think that Mark is a great competitor," he added.

Mansell, who went on to become world champion in 1992, was also 32 years old when he claimed his first win at Brands Hatch in 1985 in his 72nd start. Webber's win came after his 130th start.

Webber's success, Red Bull's third win in nine races, was all the more satisfying because of the difficulties he has encountered along the way.

The Australian smashed his right leg in a potentially career-ending cycling accident in November. Although he returned limping in February to test, he still has a metal pin in his limb and cannot run properly.

"His recovery has been fantastic and he's been totally dedicated, totally committed," said Horner.

Webber joined Red Bull from Williams at the end of 2006 with just one podium finish to his credit in five seasons of competition.

He has had three second places this year alone before his step up on Sunday.

"We could see that he was naturally very fast," said Horner. "He'd never got himself in the right car, in the right team previously. He joined Williams at a bad time, Jaguar obviously was a mess when he was there and he's just done a fantastic job.

"I think he's at the top of his game at the moment."

Horner said Red Bull would continue to allow both drivers, who are separated by just 1.5 points, to race each other for the next few races at least.

"At the moment we treat the drivers equally, they get the same support until it becomes obvious that one is in contention (for the title) or there is a significant difference between them," he said.

"So for the foreseeable future they will be treated equally."

Horner said Red Bull still had a mountain to climb in both championships, with Brawn's Jenson Button 21 points clear of second placed Vettel while the teams are separated by 19.5 points.

"We'll just take each race as it comes and a few more weekends like this one and Silverstone (another Red Bull one-two) and we will catch them," he said.

"We have some more updates coming for Hungary and the whole team is extremely motivated."

Reuters