Webber: Qualifying issues a big hit

Mark Webber described the DRS problem that wrecked his European Grand Prix qualifying session as a "big hit" for his championship chances.

The Red Bull driver will start only 19th in Valencia due to the issue. Webber had earlier run into technical problems in free practice as well.

"We had no DRS. That's worth 1.3 seconds, so it makes it very difficult when you have no DRS," he said.

"The car's put up a big fight today. We've only managed four laps all day, and three of those were in qualifying.

"We had one lap on primes at the start and then went to the pits because the gearbox hydraulics were playing up.

"The guys did the right thing by putting me onto the options because we were in a desperate situation there to try and get through because it's very tight.

"The laptime wasn't too bad given the DRS was out, but it doesn't do anything to help our situation. So now we have to do what we can tomorrow."

Webber admitted that the Valencia qualifying result could prove costly.

"It's a big hit for us," he said. "With this one and Barcelona, that's two difficult qualifyings through no fault of my own, but that's the way it can go over 20 races."