Webber delighted with third
Formula One leader Mark Webber was pipped by championship rivals Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel at the Singapore grand prix but appeared the happiest of the three at the end of the floodlit race.
The Australian's closest rival heading into the race, Lewis Hamilton, failed to finish after a collision between the two and Webber said he had done as well as he could have hoped for.
"Waking up this morning I would have been happy with third," Webber said.
"I am very happy - this was the toughest weekend of the year for me. I didn't feel comfortable all weekend. To get third place out of it... It is easy to panic so I had to stay composed."
Starting the race in fifth place, Webber gambled on an early pit stop during the first safety car period after three laps and worked his way through the field.
"I got caught up a bit, Lewis got a big run on me. There was contact and it's not something you want to do all the time," Webber said of his collision with Hamilton, before praising his team for the pit-stop strategy.
"I thought 'I am not sure about this' - I questioned the team to start with and they said it's the right thing to do, so... It was an incredibly strategic race for us.
"The start was pretty good so thanks to the team there - good for us to get away."
Webber's and second-placed Vettel's finishes stretched Red Bull's lead at the top of the constructors' standings which they now lead with 383 points, ahead of McLaren on 359.
Vettel also employed smart strategy, holding back from race winner Alonso to prevent his Red Bull from overheating but managing the gap to allow himself a chance right until the very end.
"It was more clever to back off a bit and control the gap because otherwise it can get too hot for the car to stay too close," Vettel said.
"Towards the end that was the story of the race: trying to push him as hard as I could. I think the pace was very good. I think we can be very proud of what we did."
Vettel said the Red Bulls would be competitive in the remaining four races of the season.
"(They) should suit our car very well. The most important thing is the consistency and we have a very strong car and a good team."
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Webber is looking strong for the championship now & to take a podium place after being so far off the pace in qualifying, is the sort of consistency that gets the result & makes it difficult for Alonso to repeat what Raikkonen did in 2007
We got 4 races to go and Vettel has every chance to win.
patarac
4..the ONLY reason Hamilton said this was a "racing incident" was because he wants to reserve the right to punt Webber into the nearest barrier sometime in the near future and he doesn't waqnt anyone the think there is any kind of gruidge between them.
you should immediately seek medical help. you are very sick, mate.
Here's a thought, had Hamilton taken out Webber the championship standings would have been in his favor.
Great strategy, well done and nice to see some driving, marshals decision was correct..
Webber is a F^ckin @#$%
GO LEWIS GO!!!!
I can't believe that everyone commenting here failed to mention the most important aspect of this whole debacle: The fact that F1 steward/rules don't make lapped cars/non-contenders go back to their respective positions during Safety-car period. If the two Virgin cars had NOT been in the way, this would have been a very different outcome for sure with Hamilton either in front of Webber or, well, who knows??? Di Grassi wouldn't yield fast enough causing Webber to react to that. Totally unnecessary in my view. I'm a big fan of Hamilton and Webber so I'm not playing favorites. Hamilton has had his championship (and will probably have many more in the future) but Webber is surely due . . . The rules really need to change!!
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hi vicente
don't agree with you
but
this incident really was no big deal
does not changes a thing
webber wont' bring this home.
it sure could have been avoided by lewis though
he knows now how stuborn and mean
mark webber can be never let this guy get close to you
never, ever, ever, ever, he litteraly is a red bull
just leave the guy behind every race and you will be fine
Lewis cant handle the pressure?
He cant handle a cheating arrogant oz @#$% driving into him
lewis 2 in a row DNF shame
cant handle the pressure
go Alonso
webber did nothing wrong he was on the inside of the turn
poor hamilton cant handle the pressure.
i think hamilton should have avoided that, He was the reckless one.
Webber was wrong. He did the same with Vettel. He doesn't want someone to overtake him. He will take him down))
.the ONLY reason Hamilton said this was a "racing incident" was because he wants to reserve the right to punt Webber into the nearest barrier sometime in the near future and he doesn't waqnt anyone the think there is any kind of gruidge between them.
I can't wait - and I am sure Webber will understand.
Oh, bull!
You obviously watched with your eyes closed.
....."Lewis chose to swerve into him?".....
They wer in the middle of a chicane! The track went left and right!
Webber is a thick skulled a$$hole who has always been quick to crash into anyone trying to pass him.
Did you see the incident mamadou?, so many times repeated. It was Lewis who chose to swerve into the Aussie and Webber had no room to go in a street circuit. Hamilton is a very dirty driver that had caused lots of accidents in his short career, not Mark. But then you see it as you please. Oh well, suit yourself.
webber always the same trick
did that to once before on hamilton two yers ago and caused a puncture
did that to vettel and was able to go on
doing it again today
you need to learn to take your car out of tha way
you can hold your line once, twice ...
but you cannot touch the guy in front all the time
Hami was way past you ...thsi is reckless driving...
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