Webber: Qualifying the key to title
Eurosport - Wed, 01 Jul 11:55:00 2009
Mark Webber has said the destiny of the Formula One World Championship crown will likely be decided by performances in qualifying.
The Australian lost a shot at British Grand Prix glory due to problems on the Saturday afternoon, and is yet to win a race after several years in the series.
However he insisted that he should not be written out of contention.
"I'm getting some pretty good results," the 32-year-old told Sky. "I've had very consistent Sunday afternoons, (but) Saturday is crucial, we know that, in terms of how tight it is between the four of us, and especially in the last few events.
"I'm still very confident that I can haul some good points in the future. Whether that's enough to be consistently ahead remains to be seen, (but) I'm out there and I'm very happy with my performances so far this year."
Webber, who has 129 starts in the top flight under his belt, has taken four of his six career podiums this year: runner-up spots in China, Turkey and Britain and third place in Spain.
He is fourth in the drivers' standings approaching the halfway point of the season, 28.5 points shy of runaway early-season pace-setter Jenson Button but only five and a half adrift of the sister Brawn GP of Rubens Barrichello and three and a half behind Red Bull Racing team-mate Sebastian Vettel.
German Vettel has won two races this season, including the race at Silverstone.
"It doesn't take much to turn things round, so I'm looking forward to the Nuerburgring," Webber continued. "It could be mixed conditions; and then we've got Budapest.
"There are some good races coming up which will test us again, and I'm looking forward to it."
Red Bull have meanwhile changed their nominated reserve driver for the remainder of the season.
From the German GP onwards, Spaniard Jaime Alguersuari will act as reserve driver for both the Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso teams, replacing fellow Red Bull Young Driver Brendon Hartley.
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Comment 1 - 7 of 7
Mark webber is the most overated driver since montoya
Graham P, you are correct mate, he will win at Hockenheim (LOL). Some how got it into my head the next race was there. (Please forgive as I have just come out of hospital and my head is full of painkillers)
Just looked at the current weather forecast for Nurburg and the weather at the moment favours RBR, but we all know the weather can change very quickly.
Johnny Bop. I would imagine Webber stands a very good chance of winning at Hockenheim considering all the other drivers will be at Nurburgring. You're right tho about temperature, hot races suit Brawn. So they should be in with a great chance in Germany if it's hot and almost certainly Budapest where it's almost guaranteed.
webber is a good driver and finds himself in a great car but i dont think he will be a champion.
its great to see a bit of close competition in F1 again but i think Vettel is number one in that team
australiatoo, sorry but Webbers comment is really a NO SH I T SHERLOCK comment. Webber is a good driver, but I can not see him or Vettel winning at Hockheim if the weather is very hot. Current weather is 29c with showers. I would expect the weather to better come the race. We all know that the Brawns are quicker especially JB when the ground temp is very hot. So if the weather is hot to very hot, I would expect to see JB 1st followed by RB, then either Webber or Vettel.
Hey fishblue typical pommy @#$% comment go the convicts!
Boy that Webber sure is smart! Who would have thought qualifying was key to winning Formula 1 races?
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