Australian Formula One (F1) racer Mark Webber of Red Bull can be a contender for the F1 world title this season, his team boss Christian Horner said on Tuesday.

Webber's team-mate Sebastian Vettel has won the Australian and Malaysia Grand Prix.

While Webber, 34, was struggling in comparison with Vettel, Horner insisted Webber's fifth in Australia and fourth in Malaysia were impressive in the circumstances.

"I have no doubts his time will come this season, absolutely," Horner told BBC Sports on Wednesday.

"In difficult weekends he has picked up a fifth (in Australia) and a fourth place, and they will all count at the end of the day."

On Sunday, Webber was held back at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, when the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) on his Red Bull car failed. He was swamped at the start although he fought back to finish fourth.

Horner was impressed by how Webber came back from 10th position in Malaysia to snatch fourth.

"He was 10th at the end of it (the first lap), so we decided to go aggressive, and went with a four-stop strategy. He needed to make it work, and his drive was a great recovery," he said.

"A combination of strategy and performance nearly got him back on to the podium."

Webber is currently joint-third in the drivers' championship, tied on 22 points with Britain's Lewis Hamilton.