Jones backs Webber’s F1 smarts
By Ed Jackson 13:58 AEST Tue Sep 21 2010

Hidden delights of old Melbourne Former world champion Alan Jones is confident Mark Webber will win any mental battle with teammate Sebastian Vettel as the Formula One title chase goes down to the wire.

Vettel is one of four drivers chasing Australia’s championship leader Webber with five races remaining in the season, including this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.

The Red Bull team pair have endured an at-times fractured relationship this season but Webber will be the one to come out on top if mind games come into play with the title on the line, according to Jones.

“I think if it gets down to a bit of a head-game I’ll back Mark every time,” said Jones, the last Australian to win the F1 driver’s title in 1980.

“Mark’s come up the hard way, he’s been through some uncompetitive teams, he’s had a few bits and pieces thrown at him where Vettel hasn’t and if gets down to mind games I think Mark’s much better to deal with it than Vettel is.”

But Webber’s main challenges may come from the drivers placed between him and Vettel on the standings, with Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button all hunting him down.

That trio holds an edge, having all won the driver’s title, Hamilton in 2008, Button in 2009 and Alonso in 2005 and 2006.

Hamilton trails Webber by five points going into Singapore, with Alonso a further 16 points back and Button a point behind the Ferrari driver.

But Jones feels 34-year-old Webber needs to just focus on his own performance in each race.

“I think the main thing is not to think about it (championship) too much,” Jones said.

“Not to dwell on it, not to put undue pressure on himself.

“He’s just got to take each race as it comes along and if he continues to do exactly what he’s been doing, he won’t have a problem.

“It’s a fascinating championship. We haven’t had a championship like this for years, where five people could become world champion with four races to go or something.”

Jones believes a big factor in Webber’s favour is that he emerged from the last two races, at Spa and Monza, still leading the championship despite neither track suiting his Red Bull car.

And he’s confident Webber will be back at the front of the pack for the remaining grands prix.

“I think they’re very good,” Jones said of Webber’s chances for a win in Singapore.

“His car is going to suit the circuit, in fact I think his car is going to suit most of the circuits that they’re going to.

“I think he’ll obviously know he’s going into circuits now that will suit his car and that won’t disappoint him that’s for sure.”

The Singapore grand prix gets underway on Friday and Saturday with practice and qualifying before the race starts from 8pm on Sunday (2200 AEST).