

Melbourne, Australia
Sepang, Malaysia
Shanghai, China
Sakhir, Bahrain
Montmelo, Spain
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Montreal, Canada
Silverstone, Great Britain
Nürburg, Germany
Budapest, Hungary
Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Monza, Italy
Singapore
Yeongam, South Korea
Suzuka, Japan
New Delhi, India
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Austin, U.S.A.
Sao Paolo, Brazil
17 March 2013 Melbourne, Albert Park Circuit
| 2012 winner | Jenson Button |
| Mark’s place | 4th |
| Race date | 17 March 2013 |
| Circuit name | Albert Park Circuit |
| No. of laps | 58 |
| Circuit length | 5.303 km |
| Race distance | 307.574 km |
| Lap record | 1:24.125 – M Schumacher (2004) |


Pre-season testing has gone pretty well, but it’s only when we get to Melbourne that we’ll find out how the RB9 stacks up against the opposition. The technical regulations are almost unchanged from last year, so we’re expecting a close fight up front.
I always look forward to the Australian Grand Prix. Melbourne is a great place to kick-off the season and I know I’m very lucky to have a home race. As an event, it’s very well organised and there’s always a good atmosphere because it’s well attended and Melbourne pretty much stops for race week.
I’ve been on most podiums in Formula One, but never at my home race. That’s definitely got to be the goal for this year, and it would be absolutely amazing to win at home. Perhaps I should swap with Jenson [Button] this year; he’s won in Melbourne a few times, but never finished on the podium at Silverstone, and I’ve done the opposite!
As for Albert Park, it’s a pretty good track. It’s closer to a street track than a normal circuit and it has a few repetitive second-gear right-handers. But there are some rewarding corners as well, such as the quick chicane out the back and Turn 5, the little kink at the end of the first sector. There’s plenty to get your teeth into.
Good luck Mark for the weekend! You are a legend
MARK I HOPE YOU HAVE THE SAME MACHINE AS VETTEL
WITH THAT YOU ARE A BIG CHANCE OF A DEFINATE PODUIM CHANCE
Just wanted to add my best wishes for this weekend and the coming season. Will be going to Budapest for the race in July See you there!
Hi mate remember seeing you at Adelaide driving , in the formula Holden I think? Followed you ever since and I reckon you think about Mark this Year you are the ultimate sportsman and we love your honesty …go for it mate.
Best of luck mate, I’m devastated not be attending the race this year but behind you all the way. Genuinely believe it’s your year to be world camp. Looking forward to watching it all the way!
All the best mate! It has been so exciting watching you over the course of your awesome career. Hopefully the biggest highlight is yet to come! See you in Melbourne!
Hi Mark, all the best for Melbourne and the coming season. Hope you reach your ultimate goal this year, nobody deserves it more than you. Good luck were all behind you x
MARK I KNOW AS WELL AS MOST AUSSIE F1 FANS THAT IF YOU HAVE THE SAME VEHICLE AS VETTEL YOU WILL BE IN A BETTER POSTION TO BEAT HIM THIS YEAR GOOD LUCK MATE
This is the time to kick some a** on that German a** hole , do it for yourself and your country , you are a legend .
See you in Melbourne,I will look for you after the race on the top step.
Hey Mark, keen for the start of F1 season 2013. Time for an Aussie to win in Melbourne, good luck Mate !
gday Mark, To start i think your a legend mate, been staying up late on sunday nights watching you race for years now, (my wife now understands this is my thing…mark webber in F1) I heard on the radio today a brief comment made from david coultard that your driving great as ever and red bull should have no reason to give up your seat in the car… is there anything going on there with trades etc, or are you changing teams? either way i’ll be watching again this year and backing you the whole way mate, good luck for the season!
Hi Mark, I am so glad to read you’re physically better than the previous years. After having that metal removed.
Also happy for you feeling confident in the new RB9 during the tests in Jerez ( a beautiful spot by the way) And I have the feeling that your first win this season is not far away.
Cheers and big hug from China , where the crazy celebrations of CNY already began.
Mark, you used to do winter training with Lance Armstring in the past. I don’t want to trap you into anything, but how do you feel about all the revelations coming out about Lance now. Personally I am annoyed because I defended him and now feel a bit sheepish.
Hi there Greg,
Funny you should mention that as Mark has just spoken to the BBC about his personal thoughts on Lance Armstrong – you can read his column on the BBC Sport F1 page now or via this LINK.
Hi Mark
We became fans of yours the last few years when we found out we were distantly related – same great grandfather from Parkwood area, near Canberra. We have booked 2 tix for the webber stand in melbourne and pray you win this year! All the very best. We can’t wait to see you live in action.
Hi Mark,
First I wish you & your family all the best for 2013 ! I believe you’re a true gentleman, a fantastic sportsman and for me the ambassador for the sport ! I really hope you will kick Seb’s ass so hard this year that it will shut up “dr.” Marko’s mouth…I really had it with this guy…You don’t deserve his criticism…
So best of luck in Melbourne and go for it Mark ! This year will be yours…
Best Regards,
Dirk
Hi mark just want to say how good you are at driving fast!! Your really sexy
Aristotle said that the mind and body of the male peak at about 40 give or take a few years on the individual. that means your in the zone. 3000 years of experience says so. you know you can do it.
Hi Mark!
It’s good to see you back on track.
What happened in that nasty first corner? I think you lost the race there. The rest of the race was awesome. A very difficult track to overtake so in the end a good result.
All the best at Sepang.
Go for it, Mark!
Good luck in your 10th year Mark! Hope you become world champion!
Woohoo! F1 season starts = WEBBER MANIA!!
Come on Mark, bring your “A” game at every race, every lap, every corner…
Be the fastest & be safe !
YOU CAN DO IT AND YOU’LL DO IT CHAMP!!!
Send you the best of luck and all my support.
Per fi!(in english”finally!”)F1 2012 starts it! After a lot of months without F1…the drivers come back on the track
The first GP in your land
In my litlle country, Catalonia, have an amazing tradition: “els castellers” people who make human castles
Before to start to make them they say: “FORÇA, EQUILIBRI, VALOR i SENY!”
(in english: “strength, balance, courage and good sense!”)
I think that it would be a good way to wish you an amazing season!!!
Hi Mark,
Can’t wait to see you back on the track.
All the best for the new season!
Cheers from China
To site manager:
Something ‘s going wrong here , showing so many comments from 2011 ??
Regards Petra S.W.
Hi Petra – no, nothing is wrong; we decided to keep the 2011 comments on site to preserve the history for each race. All of the 2012 comments should appear at the top of the list to avoid any confusion.
I was hoping to go and see you live this year bro but cancer and operation caught up with me……..hope I`m around next year to try to see you again……
I feel your season is going to be awesome this year!
For me you are NR 1
Best of luck for 2012 and starting in style Down Under Webbo!!
Hey Mark,i look forward to seeing you on track again. I hope to see you win in Albert Park,would be awesome. Best of luck for the season,you can get that championship. You deserve it.
Won’t be able to get there but will be watching on the screen and will have everything crossed for you, mate. Have a fast and safe first race – it’s a long season. Cheers.
Come on mate, win a few this year. The whole country is behind you. Whether its arvo in Melbourne or 4am in Brazil, we will all be watching and willing you on.
Adelaide wants it back!
Good luck Mark for the whole season. Myself and my three sons will be comming to Melbourne to cheer you on, from your grandstand. We will watch all year. Good luck mate. You make us all proud to be Aussies.
Ik denk net zo als de rest over de wereld waar staan we naar de kwalificatie wand naar de test weten we nog niks ik hoop dat de redbul het goed doet maar het zal harder worden als in 2011 maar mark veel geluk en houd de f1 op de baan..
Hi Mark, Good luck with the new season! Hope you get lotsa poles and wins!
Cheers, Paul
Sydney
Go for it mate. Lots of Kiwis are behind you…we’d love to see you on the podium.
Hi All and A special G’day to MW im an Aussie sports fan. That means what ever sport their is an Aussie in i will follow as much as i can. But Mark Webber is someone Special along the lines of Cadel Evans. You my friend have had your fair share of Knockers and you have stood up and shown them all that you have what it takes. i sincerely hope you crew can give you the same car as your um Team mate. Then Mark you will be World Champion. You are an Australian Hero and im proud to of watch you Bloom. All the Best in 2012 Oi Oi Oi
Go Champ!!!
See you there. I’ll be in the Senna stand, next to your stand.
Mark,
Good luck mate. Hope you get the good start to the season you need and your team is behind you 100%. Get on the front row and smash the start!!!
Aaron
Mark, I wish you a phenomenal start at the season 2012. Enjoy your homerace!
Dear Mark
Hope your itching to get Albert firing. Tyres are sounding more forgiving than last years bubble gum rubber…..I pray the medium & hard compounds serve you as well as in previous seasons. All Oz is backing a podium at home (no pressure), but you dont need luck, just get out there, best form and carry the momentum from Brasil.. You’ll own it..!
Hi Mark, Time to show them the real Mark Webber, This is your year….Stay true, stay positive… All the luck, you make yourself….Take care….. As they say…. You Can DO IT…….
Hi Mark, Good luck “eye of the tiger” you can win. Will be watching the race in Melbourne, enjoy the Season.
Hi Mark!
Best wishes from Canada! I know you’ve got it in you to pull off a fantastic season! Ive been your fan since I started following F1 in 2009. I just love your gritty approach to driving.
Pin it!
-Erik
Hi Mark, Good luck with the race! I saw you at the Silverstone Grand Prix last year and threw you a fosters on stage after the race – Any chance of returning the favour out in Melbourne? Thanks!
Hi Mark Followed you for years Im british living in Derbyshire,you were obviously very frustrated on sunday you will get your car right and you will be up there with the top guys im very much behind you all the way mate good luck
Dear Mark: You did great last season and in a few hours is starting a new one in your country with all the support of your people. I think you can feel the adrenaline through your veins. Third position on the clean side I think it’s OK. All my support and best whishes for you and your team.
Goodluck for tomorrow hoping you cross the line first but either way you are a winner.
Go Mark. This is the year for celebration
GOOD LUCK, MELBOURNE’S RACE IS YOURS, YOU’RE THE BEST!!
Hi Mark,
I hope you have a good time in Melbourne and good luck in qualifying and for the race.
Finn – Hangzhou
Mr Webber I say God Speed to you.
I won’t say good luck, all the best, etc however I say Thankyou.
Thankyou Mr Webber.
Signed Molly Radford
Stolen Generation Australian
well done for P1… P1 !!!
Good luck Mark. Push it, and Win for all of us. Your a great role modle for all young aussies.
The Diamond Family.
Good luck Mark for a flying start to your F1 World Championship year with a win in our home town GP in Melbourne! It is great to see a successful Aussie sportsman who is also a true role model that we can all be proud of.
Good luck from one of your Spanish fans.
We’re all cheering for you!!
Mar
Good luck Mark with the new season! I really hope you can win the title and show everyone that ‘your not bad for a number two driver!’.
After last years driving i think this year will be the one to win the world championship.
Fingers crossed you can score a home win this weekend!
Good Luck this year Mark! I can’t wait for the race this weekend, you will do great- as always. Your my No.1 driver.
Good luck from one of your swedish fans! This season will be yours
Mark,
You probably dont even read the comments. But Goodluck this year mate and I hope you kick some butt. Day after day i cop crap from guys at work for supporting you. But im still supporting you. Will see you in abu dhabi i hope. Let this year be yours!
Good luck Mark Potsee Webber all the best for 2011 and this weekend cant wait for my late sunday nights all the best mate
hi mark,im from whyalla SA,home of the big red snapper…good luck 4 melbourne,been big fan since ur debut there 2002..ur the man…
Best of luck this season Mark,know you can do it.
Hey Mark, Goodluck for the year im sure 2011 will be even better than 2010.I really admire your hard work and sportsmanship your a great australian always a hero in my eyes.
@site manager.. thanks for the reply… I’ve just had to change the internetbrowser. Now, it works!
(Will the site run in googlecrome as well in the future?)
Hi Petra – glad to hear it’s working for you now. We use Google Chrome and there are no problems, so not sure why you couldn’t view it properly – it’s something we’ll mention to our developers.
Go get that trophy baby and bring it home. See you at Silverstone.
Annie
Nottingham
Hi, good luck for 2011!!! by the way: on Facebook there is written “…And don’t forget to hover over the black dots on the track map!” It doesn’t really work, does it?
***Site Manager***
Hi there – when you click through to the My Season Preview section on Mark’s site (http://www.markwebber.com/my-season-preview/melbourne-australia) you will be able to see the comments when you hover over the black dots on the track maps. Each race will only be ‘activated’ the week beforehand, so at this stage the only race preview that is ‘live’ is Melbourne. Don’t forget to check back for future previews!
GOOD LUCK MARK!! we’re all cheering for you!!
KIck but Mark, all of OZ is behind you, we have so much faith in you. You will be World Champ go get them for all of OZ.
Hey
I have been your fan since i noticed you back in your day as a minardi driver…
I was prolly 8 at the time
Anyway, i wish you the best of luck at the weekend
And the team,
Sadly our national TV station stopped broadcasting F1,so i won’t be able to watch
Go get em
good luck Mark we will all be watching
Hi Mark,
Received a copy of your book 2010 – A season to remember Up Front for my birthday in December. Great read and excellent colour photography. When you next visit Perth, would welcome the chance to get my book signed.
Followed your progress during pre-season testing, great work.
Can’t wait for the first GP of 2011 in Melbourne.
With your professional approach on and off the track and determination I am sure this will be your year.
I wish you all the best and good luck for the rest of the GP’s that are ahead of you and will be staying up to watch all even if in the early hours of the morning.
PS – It will be great to get your second book with the words “World Champion for 2011″
Cheers
Richard – Perth
Hey Mark, good luck this year mate and I will give ya a wave from the Brabham stand as you blur past me next week.
Hi Mark good luck just get through the first corner and go go go I will be in the webber stand and my son Liam will be singing the anthem at the start grid dont worry about the points just finish the race the season is very long luck can go any way it likes you just need you and sab out in front and then fight it out over the last few races
GOOD LUCK MARK FOR THIS SEASON.
I BELIEVE YOU
KISSES FROM FRANCE
Hello everyone. Are you ready and anxious as I am?
I hope we enjoy this season a lot, and we support Mark as always we do.
When we return to green? Nature is green, Mark is green, and the screen should be ……………….you know. lol
I drove part of the track tonight on the way home (albeit at 40km/h and in the wrong direction) and saw some of the team’s flight cases in the pit lane…not long to go now! Tremendously excited for this race, and will be there every day cheering you on. Best of luck!
Good luck in Melbourne Mark and welcome home. You truly are an inspiration.
Loving the new website! Best of luck this season – I know you’ll do good
My best wishes from Spain!! Good luck!
In new season you will win!Your fans are with you. Good luck,Mark!!!
I can hardly expect the first GP and your home race. You’re fantastic and I know you’ll give your best again!! Hopefully the car is as good and reliable as last season but what should go wrong with such a perfect driver!!! Kisses from Austria
Re the hard to read text, after submitting my comment I noticed the Marks Says text is now on a green background, much easier to read than the tire marks background image when I posted the comment…
Regards
MG
Hey Mark, best of luck for Melbourne! You have done a fantastic job, especially over the last year with some great wins and places. It would be fantastic if you could pull off a home win! Fingers crossed! Always a winner in my book!
BTW, I find the text on the race preview page a little hard to read with the dark background. Maybe a lighter background image or different text color would help…
best of Luck!
MG – Sydney
This morning(..night):
wake up call at 02.25am, watching the classiest driver and most likeable bloke on and off the track back in action in his RB9…, the ‘vroom-vroom’ sound.. Yeaah! the F1 season startet!!!
Mark, hopefully you enjoyed the break with your family & friends, surfing on the sunshine coast and training..
It’s such a relief to hear that you feel fine after removing that huge rod from your leg and the tough R&R weeks! Yes, Mark Webber never gives up..
Beeing your fan is so special! THANK YOU MARK !!
MAKE 2013 TO YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL SEASON!BEST OF LUCK CHAMP !
Regards from your greek fan