Melbourne, Australia
Sepang, Malaysia
Shanghai, China
Sakhir, Bahrain
Montmelo, Spain
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Montreal, Canada
Valencia, Spain
Silverstone, Great Britain
Hockenheim, Germany
Budapest, Hungary
Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
Monza, Italy
Singapore
Suzuka, Japan
Yeongam, South Korea
New Delhi, India
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Sao Paolo, Brazil
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13 May 2012Montmelo, Circuit de Catalunya
Turn 3: it’s difficult to find time early in the lap, but this is still a good corner. A long right-hander, through which we’re flat.
Turn 9: flat-in-fifth last year, but I doubt that will be the case in ’11 due to the change in regulations.
Turns 14 & 15: this chicane makes it a frustrating last sector, but it’s one that’s actually pretty good for me. It’s where I got pole last year over Seb.
| 2011 winner | Sebastian Vettel |
| Mark’s place | 4th |
| Race date | 13 May 2012 |
| Circuit name | Circuit de Catalunya |
| No. of laps | 66 |
| Circuit length | 4.655 km |
| Race distance | 307.104 km |
| Lap record | 1:21.670 – K Raikkonen (2008) |
I’ve always enjoyed the Spanish Grand Prix, particularly since Fernando [Alonso] has been winning races in F1. He’s arguably the biggest sports star in Spain, give or take a few footballers and Nadal. He stands for a lot for their nation and they’re very vocal in their support of him.
The driver parade is always fun. People shout and randomly light fireworks, even though they don’t know what they’re doing. Health and safety is nowhere to be seen; it’s brilliant. The passion of the fans was the main reason why I threw my helmet into the crowd last year. I wanted to give something back to the people because they’ve embraced our sport really well.
I’ve been lucky enough to meet lots of great Spaniards over the years. Tennis players like Arantxa Sanchez, and I’ve had a great relationship with Pedro [de la Rosa] for more than 10 years. I always enjoy myself in Spain, although I’m not big on them eating so late.
Our car was impressive at this track last year. In qualifying, I was flat-in-fifth through Turn 9, which Adrian [Newey] said was a first in his F1 career, and I went on to win the race. Good memories. Let’s hope we can repeat them this year.
AS A MATTER OF FACT…
- Since he qualified on the front row in Barcelona in 2005, Mark has had many positive results at the track. Several points finishes were followed by a podium in 2009 and a race win last season.
- The Circuit de Catalunya is the second circuit in and around Barcelona to host the Spanish Grand Prix. Between 1969 and ’75 the Montjuich Park street track hosted the race and it’s been at its current venue since 1991.
- Spain is the only country in the world to have two grands prix in 2011.
- Mark and his partner Ann aren’t the only F1 couple to be linked to a restaurant (Ann is the director of a restaurant called The Stag, which Mark frequents). Until recently, former Sauber driver Pedro de la Rosa and his wife Maria owned a restaurant in Barcelona’s old town.
Comments
Petra
POSTED May 09th, 2011
Hi Mark, with your past results in Spain… I wish you 0.5 seconds more than Seb, to win the race!!!
Facundo
POSTED May 10th, 2011
Good luck on this GP! I hope you can repeat the podium ! You’re number 1!
Greetings and good luck from Argentina.
Paloma
POSTED May 11th, 2011
Mark!! Good luck in Spain, my country!!! I hope you win this GP!!!!!! For me, you are the number 1!!!
Oxana
POSTED May 11th, 2011
Hello from Russia, Mark! And good luck in Spain! You will win!!! We believe in you!!!
Douglas
POSTED May 11th, 2011
stay focused as you have the skill and insight to win
Mark
POSTED May 12th, 2011
Mark, grab pole and go on to win. Can’t wait to see you on the top step of the podium again
Andrea
POSTED May 12th, 2011
Barcelona and Monte Carlo you won 2010 and all I wish you is that you’ll be able to repeat your victories, kick Vettel from the highest podium, it’s the place where you belong to!!
But there’s something I absolutely have to tell you, I just read the article of your Tasmania Challenge and I really appreciate your efforts for people who live in bader circumstance than you, no matter if children or adults!! You’ve my biggest respect, you don’t sit and twiddle your thumbs because you’re ok; I’ve a bad handicapped person in my nearest surroundings and know how hard and difficult such a life is!!! Thank you for what you’re doing and never change please, you’re simply amazing!!!
Canberra Milk Kid
POSTED May 12th, 2011
Fastest lap 3 out of 4 races 
Shows you have the pace mate, just need to show it when it counts in quali and at start of race, pit stops etc…your closin’ in champion i’m kickin’ ya home! GO WEBBER!
Canberra Milk Kid
POSTED May 12th, 2011
If worst comes to worst mate just adjust Vettel’s wing setting before the race with your boot!
george
POSTED May 13th, 2011
5-4-3-2 and 1 for Spain.
Ana
POSTED May 14th, 2011
Mark! Yo have a lot of fans here, in Spain. We hope to see you at podium again!
Good luck and have fun!
MAR
POSTED May 16th, 2011
Te deseo muchas suerte. España es un lugar maravilloso (es mi pais). Espero que disfrutes y te diviertas.
Jess
POSTED May 16th, 2011
Mark,
when you passed Jenson to come 3rd in China, I jumped off my seat and screamed, ‘You little Rippa!’
F1 is a wonderful beast.
Good luck in Spain. Your experience, passion and skill will lead you to the finish. NUMBER 1!
Kudos for the entertainment each race. Love your work!
Keep flying. You have Wings!!!
Edi, Albania
POSTED May 17th, 2011
Go Mark, I want to see Helmut crying for his baby.
I like F1 since ’93 and you since last year but I don’t like uncorrect drivers and teams.
I hope RBR turn correct.
Greatings from Albania.
MattK
POSTED May 17th, 2011
Hope you find some luck in Spain the rest is a given.
It’s all easy.
Petra
POSTED May 17th, 2011
@sitemanager.. Hi, I’m so sorry, but you know, I visit this homepage quite often and unfortunetely, a link to the pictures 2011 doesn’t work. It is in the yellow box on the bottom. But when I use the menu “gallary”-”photos”-”2011″ then it works. Further I have a little question. Is it possible, that could be create a board to the subject “giving it back”? I think, the possibilitie to write something to Marks charties could be fine.
Hope, you are not mad with me that I have posted that here, but there is no other possibilitie to write this.
Mark Webber Site Manager
POSTED May 17th, 2011
Hi there – thanks for the heads-up about the 2011 Gallery link on the home page. This will be dealt with ASAP. We will also raise the question about the possibility for leaving comments on the Giving It Back page.
NATALIA RINCON
POSTED May 19th, 2011
that nerves! see you this Saturday at Montmelo, I’ll be there in end of line as every year, mind, is that you can repeat the first place. Know that in Spain we love you because you’re a great driver, a great person, and do not give up easily, that They have to be your year because you deserve it,
Petra
POSTED May 20th, 2011
Hi Mark, this is going to be your weekend in Barcelona. Looking forward to see what Newey comes up with for your car! Regards and buen suerte from China
Daniel
POSTED May 20th, 2011
Go Mark, beat that smug faced german!!
Patto
POSTED May 20th, 2011
Good luck in Spain Mark,the mob at Patto’s will be watching GO YOU GOOD THING.
Patto
POSTED May 20th, 2011
Just a thought,Mark wins Spain,then Will or Ryan win Indy 500,Go Aussies
John J
POSTED May 21st, 2011
Mark, Fantastic work from 18th to 3rd, push, push, push!!! NO more intimidation from anyone!….. especially from that ‘punk’ team-mate. Christian needs to know too, that you’re NOT gunna take any more of his ‘No 2 Driver’ CRAP anymore either!!! Bust ‘em up big Mark. You ARE our next World Champ!!!
Mariella
POSTED May 21st, 2011
Good job today. That’s the right way. Do it again on saturday .)
Gill Mills
POSTED May 21st, 2011
How’dy Mark, been a fan of F1 past 10yrs and Brit drivers (Hill, Colth etc.) hav never got my vote. Wer az U have from day 1, U have always been a ray of Sunshine at the back of the pack and now it’s U’r time 2 Rise and never Set. U’r the 1 and only no.1 driver. Fanx X
Mariella
POSTED May 21st, 2011
Pole, Pole,Pole!!!! Fantaastic,great job!!!
Ben
POSTED May 22nd, 2011
All the best for tomorrow mate. Show us the true aussie spirit.
Rob McEvoy
POSTED May 22nd, 2011
It’s time to start your run Mark – grab first in Spain and settle for nothing less for the rest of the season!!!
Phillip Burke
POSTED June 11th, 2011
Go hard Mark,enjoy watching you drive,luck has not gone your way,youare in touch
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Hoping for a repeat of 2010 – goodluck.