
Mark reduced Fernando Alonso’s lead in the World Championship to eight points in Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix. He finished second, 2.5s ahead of the Ferrari driver, to set up a dramatic world title showdown in Abu Dhabi next weekend.
“It was good to cut into Fernando’s points lead,” says Mark. “After a rough race in Korea a couple of weeks ago, I was pleased with the way I drove at Interlagos; I shadowed my team-mate Sebastian Vettel for the whole race and had Fernando covered. There’s everything to play for in Abu Dhabi.”
This was Red Bull Racing’s fourth one-two finish of the season and it sealed a sensational first Constructors’ Championship for the team, just 19 months after it scored its first victory in F1.
“Today was all about the team,” says Mark. “When you consider the quality of our opposition, winning the Constructors’ Championship is a phenomenal achievement for a team in only its sixth season of racing. I’m absolutely stoked for the guys and girls in Milton Keynes because everyone has worked so hard to get the team into the position it’s in today.”
The team’s domination at Interlagos was only broken during qualifying when, for the first time in three races, the front row of the grid wasn’t a Red Bull lock-out. Heavy rain on Saturday morning turned the session into a bit of a lottery and Mark ended up third, behind rookie Nico Hulkenberg and Vettel.
“It was a very challenging session,” says Mark, “because the track was drying all the time and by the end of Q3 it was just dry enough for slicks. It was very difficult to keep the tyres in their operating window in such greasy conditions and it would have been easy to drop the ball, so I was happy with my performance.”
Both Red Bull drivers passed pole-sitter Hulkenberg in the opening few corners of the race and the gap between Mark and Sebastian remained at about two seconds until lap 35, when Mark’s engine temperatures started to climb.
“I couldn’t feel any problem with the engine in the cockpit,” says Mark, “but the team informed me over the radio about the temperatures and I altered my driving style to get them under control. I braked a bit earlier than normal and used higher gears where possible. Given everything that was going on, I was pleased with my lap times, but my challenge for victory was compromised.”
A Safety Car period at three quarters distance helped to bring the temperatures under control, but Mark still had to be careful and he switched his attention to Alonso for the remainder of the race.
“There were two backmarkers between Seb and me while we were behind the Safety Car,” says Mark. “That meant I couldn’t attack him at the re-start and, as a result, I focused on Fernando.”
Within minutes of the chequered flag, Mark was thinking about the season finale in Abu Dhabi. He will arrive in the Gulf on Monday night following a 15-hour flight from Sao Paulo and he’ll head to the Yas Marina Circuit on Thursday morning.
“It’s tough for everyone in the team to have back-to-back races on opposite sides of the world,” he says, “but from a championship point of view I’m pleased they’re close together because I want to get on with the last race. Abu Dhabi is going to be stressful for all of the title contenders; I’ll do the best job I can and let the maths take care of itself.”
// ends
Every race is a challange treat it as a one of have fun and what will be will be.
You Seb and Alonso have made F1 great to watch again. BTW have been a fan since yellowpages FF days.
Glad your parents where silly enough to mortage the house!
Mark, keep a cool head! One race to go, do your best!!!
Good luck!
Hey mark I have been watching f1 since I was about 7 and think you are the most real down to earth driver there has ever been go win that championship and punch seb and alonso in the face for me ta
Can’t wait mate, you deserve all you have acheived so far and more. A career full of unrealised promise due largely to circumstance is finally being rewarded. It will be be tough to stop Fernando from here but I know you have the goods to win this race. Let’s see what part temperatures and reliability play.. hopfully little, you deserve to finish in front of a full field. Focus and Win Champ.
Mark, I wish you all the best for the last race. Now go and take pole, win the race and let the rest do as they please. You deserve the championship, so go and finish it off.
Dare to dream Mark.You have come along way and deserve all the credit you recieve. Go you good thing. All real F1 fans are behind you.
Congrats on a great season to date. Looking forward to seeing you win this weekend. A roller-coaster ride this year – thanks for excitement.
Forget the garbage about who’s helping who and blah blah, pop in on pole and drive off into the distance… You’re an absolute champion, a gentleman, you walk to the beat of your own drum and we’re all enjoying the rhythm it’s making, mate! All the best…
Grab the bull by the horns Mark and enjoy every tenth that you pull away from the pack. You are a true leader and a champion whatever happens, now go get it.
Good luck, Mark! You will make an awesome world champion. You’ve driven amazingly this year and have pushed yourself up to and beyond the limits all through your own self motivation. You’re such an inspiration, F1 has never been more exciting since the Senna/Prost days. I can’t think of any driver who deserves this more than you.
With the very best of luck, with or without Red Bull’s help, go ahead and win that championship. It’s yours!
I think you can do it and when you do it will be a greater achievement considering the circumstances. What a fantastic thing it will be to have an australian formula 1 world champion at our GP next year.
Mark, being a Kiwi this is probably the only time I will be cheering on an Aussie!!
All the best for this weekend, you have the talent, and you have the car and pretty soon your have the WDC!!! Give em hell!
Boa sorte!
Good luck!
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From Brazil
Mark, be the best you can be, and the rest will fall into place
You are always a champion to us!!
We are all behind you, we all believe in you and are all supporting you!!!
Remember this is your time!! Keep focused, be safe and win this race!!!
Yesterday I dreamed that you win the title and I was so happy
I hope it will come true, because you deserve it the most!! Anything happens, there are a lot of people who support you.
I wish you a fantastic last race in Abu Dhabi!
Greetings from Hungary.
Hi Mark,
Everyone here at my local, work and family are behind you. You make us proud. Go get that WDC son, its yours.
Dear Mark
You only deserve to win the champion title after a fantastic season for a second driver. I was a Jack Brabham fan in my teens and I hope you will be the third aussie to win the title.
Nearly there Mark. I think if/when you do become champion with little or no help from the team you will ultimately be happier. Because you did it all for yourself it will be a greater feeling of accomplishment. You deserve it. Even Lewis Hamilton has said you’ve been awesome all year. As ever – we’re all behind you. JUST GO FOR IT!!
Mark,
Whether you win the World Chapionship in name or not, YOU are the World Champion. You have done it on your own whereas your “team mate” has had the full support of the team.
I have no idea what they are thinking. I know you cannot say too much, but I know you’d have to be thinking the same.
Good luck in Abu Dhabi and, if you do not win, I hope Alonso is at least fifth. He deserves it more than the alternative and, for making stupid decisons, Red Bull does not deserve to have a World Champion.
Good luck mate.
Mark,
Even if you do not win the championship in name, YOU are the World Champion. You are doing it alone while your “team mate” is doing it with full team support.
Whatever are they thinking? I know you cannot say too much, but you have to be still thinking it.
If you do not win at Abu Dhabi, then I sure as hell hope Alonso comes in at least fifth, he deserves it more than the alternative.
We are with you mate.
If I could be in A.D. I would be… go get the World Championship YOU CAN DO IT!!! Bring it home for us Aussies. You are a champion in our eyes anyway.
Best of luck in Abu Dhabi Mark, we’re all behind you.
good luck webbo! vettel racing…oh i mean red bull racing should back you mate!
Hello from Lincoln, Nebraska in the states. Best of luck this weekend… and drive like the champion we all know you are.
You have done your self, your country and your team proud, true Aussie grit and determination, well done on a Stella season coba! 1 more to go, u deserve it mate, wish I could be there cheering u on! The whole of Oz is with ya mate, good luck!
Wish I could be in Abu Dhabi to see u wrap up the championship mate!! True Aussie grit and never say never attitude, u truly do Australia proud coba! Go get it, u deserve it champ!
Good job on the constructors championship, now go,go,go on the wdc. Keep a clear head and win the last race on your own. Forget about support-do this on your own with your own crew. Remember- “if it is to be-it’s up to thee”. Regardless of the outcome we are proud of you, but please do your talking on the track-not so much with the press. Good luck from Melbourne.
A great season so far Mark but it isn’t over until the Fat Lady sings. Deliver a win in Abu Ahabi and what will be will be.
Good luck
Watched Senna documentary yesterday – its all about self belief – So give it all you’ve got mate! All aussies are supporting you this sunday!
MARK WEBBER = SPIRIT + FOCUS + ABILITY + TENACITY + AUSSIE GRIT + RB6 – TEAM SUPPORT* = CHAMPION 2010!!!
(* if finger kid moves over for you, he’ll just give your points back – when he ruined your victory in Turkey..)
GOOD LUCK!!!
Mark, I met you nearly 11 years ago at Bangkok airport when we were both heading back to Australia form the UK. We chatted for a while, you showed me photos from your recent Arrows test, and was more than happy to have a photo taken with me. Before we parted I wished you all the best of luck in your career and I have keenly followed your progress ever since. All I have to say now is again, best of luck for this coming weekend’s race. You can do this mate. Channel whatever it was you had going in Germany 2009 – one of the most impressive wins I’ve seen from anyone since I started watching F1 some 25+ years ago as a kid.
Mark,just do the Monaco thing again in Abu Dhabi, I am sure you find the rhythm again knocking them all out. So get your wings and take the title!
Mark, it was your year, you deserve to be champion.Glad you are coming down here to Perth soon. We will welcome you as the champion no matter what happens. And don’t think of giving it away next year whoever you drive for.
Mark,give your best in AD and win the race!!You can do that!! And don’t pressurize you.
I hope that the fate is on your side!
Wish you good luck from Germany!!
Mrk…JUST DO IT mate
Stuff the rest, win and then see what they all say…they can win a Constructors, but have stuffed the Drivers. but you want to win , so do we , SO DO IT :-}
cheers
Chriso West OZ
What a fantastic season you have had. One more race and just go for it. You can not rely on anyone else doing the right thing. JUST GO FOR IT. All the very best.
Mark,
You’ve had a great season and have done yourself and family proud with the way in which you’ve carried yourself through out the year.
I wish you all the best of luck for the last race and hope you finish up as WDC next Monday morning. If you do you’ll have done it the hard way because it couldn’t be any clearer that Mateschitz and his merry men are quite prepared to see you lose the WDC than have Vettel actually act like a team mate if it comes down to it.
Mark, 3 of us are on a plane on Wed to Abu Dhabi to watch you take the Championship, so Go For It! Look out for our Aussi flags in the Western Grandstand as you pass by at 300kph!. Dont know how many Aussi’s will be there, but we’ll be cheering louder than all the rest. We’ll give you a hoy if we see you! Ted, Andrew and Sammy. ps, Andrew is Aust National Motorkhana Champion 2010 in a Renault-powered ‘khana car – a good omen?
Awesome season Mark, congrats on your strong contribution to the Constructor’s title – now bring home the big one for yourself and be sure to wave both fingers in the air!! It will be the icing on the cake, but ultimately you’re already a champion!!
The last race may have been all about the team in Milton Keynes and congratulations and well deserved to them, but this week it is all about YOU and your championship title.
Give it all you’ve got and a little bit more and I hope your team mate lives by his words.
All Aussies are behind you Mark. Win or not you are still a champion!!
Well done yuor already a champion in every one eyes even if most of your management support your team mates. Even Alonso has that extra 7 point from Mazza your team should have done the same but we all know what they wanted and wont get it Alonso will be 3rd or 4th and you will be 1st. Just go for it takes the pole and lead like Monaco.
Good luck for Sunday. We know you can do it.
Great driving in Brazil even with the temperature problem, I can’t wait to watch the next week final.. You are a fine racing driver and watching your driving is an absolute pleasure, Good luck, Mark!!!
Push Mark with everything you have! This is your moment, this is your chance! With strong support from USA.
Have a great race in Abu Dabi Mark. Just keep Fernando in your mirrors!!!
You deserve a good result Abu Dabi Mark. Go for it mate!!!!
Mark keep your head up as a true OZ, you have inspired us all throughout this year from down under, Go for if man you can show those German’s you’re a better F1 driver!!!!.So think wholely at winning this race, think positive and no negative thoughts while talking to the media please!!!
What are Red Bull thinking!?!? Now if Alonso finishes 2nd, no Red Bull driver will win it. And what happens if it again looks like Seb first, Mark second and Alonso 3rd? Title to Alonso and RB drivers 2nd & 3rd…. CRAZY! As you said at Silverstone Mark, you are the number 2 and these recent decisions prove it. If you had won Brazil, you would only need to finish ahead of Alonso to win the title, now you need to win and him no better than 3rd…. I dont understand what Red Bull were thinking.
you have done us all proud Mark. Please race it like it is you last race, leave with no doubts..
Hi Mark,
You’re doing Australia proud. Good luck for Sunday I’II be watching. You deserve it!
Mark you are a champion! I have watched every race you have started at in F1! Unfortunately there is no soft way to say this but . . WTF! is your team thinking? including Seb!? he cant win the championship! he is screwing you over on the chance that Alonso’s car breaks down! that is a flawed strategy! a weak strategy! He had his chance and he has blown it! he is an arrogent, self obsessed idiot! TRY THINKING OF THE TEAM!! This is your year Mark you deserve it! so go for broke! Aussie Aussie Aussie!!!
Spencer Martin my self and all of your
fans in Australia wish
you luck we know you can win.
Seb will have many more oportunities in the future so he should help you take the title. I know you are good enough to win it on your own but a little help can’t hurt.
Well I really hope in Abu Dhabi you can win the drivers’ championship with or without team orders, who cares???
And that Sebastian and Chris Horner finally take sense and agree to help you if necessary, not giving a present to Alonso (I hate him!!!).
And I hope you change your opinion about quitting in 2012.
Well there’s always hope…..
Go Mark Go, all the aussies I have spoken to are 100% behind you!
You’ve got huge support here make us proud son.
Weird with the engine overheating that seemed to happen when Mark chased down Vettel and closed the gap to below 2s and then that problem dissapeared with 2 laps to go when Alonso started to put pressure on Mark. I did not think it was usual that the engine operated perfect again in the late stages of a long race but that might be common, what do I know, even cruising behind the safety car in low revs for 5 laps did not help. It seemed to me that Vettel used most of his high engine maps early in the race and then he had to tune it down but could push again after the cs period when he could use what he had saved during those cs laps. Marke seemed to go thinner in the beginning to save some for a later attack that came to an halt when the engine overheated and BBC claimed a lot of activity and discussions at the pitwall at RB.
No matter the result Mark, you are a Champion for me. You are tough, calculating, tenacious and spectacular as a racer but overall, you are the Gentleman of the F1 drivers. “Go you Good Thing” …. Fellow Aussie
Go for it Mark, you so deserve this and will make a worthy champion and congratulations to all at Red Bull!
Mark,you might already be the champion,if the team made this decision. You contribute to the winning teamin the Constructors Chempionship. Will be valid if you become a champion.Do not give anybody a victory! You deserve it!
Dear Mark. Just do your best as always and you will be the champion. If it not you will be a Champion for me anyway Regards fron Argentina.
Congratulations on the team result, now waiting for your triumph!
Great result in Brazil. You’ve had a hell of a season and know that you can pull it out of the bag to win the last race of the seasson and with it the championship. Let’s see some more of that Aussie Grit!
I hope the team returns the points they took away from you at Turkey (through Vettel’s stupidity) and you become champion on Sunday…even if things turn out differently I am very impressed with what you have accomplished this year
go! one last effort, shows the team what you’re worth,
Red Bull do not appreciate the great driver you are, you deserve to be the champion of the world for your great courage, and work in these conditions is difficult, when your team gives you back, give them!
kisses from barcelona
please, win or not,
do not leave F1
kisses from barcelona
Natalia Rincon
Truly hope you win Mark – love your determination and driving style. We believe you can do it!Hello from N.Ireland!
Also from Ukraine the very best wishes and great support for you, Mark! You`re the real fighter, so go ahead!
Top job all year Mark and congratulations to the whole Red Bull racing for taking out the constructors title.Now put it on pole and Seb will follow you to become the world champion!!!
Come on mate!! It is the moment of true. It’s time to give everything and a bit more. Remember you are a fighter, so take your car and flow by the track like god. lol
One to go mate, you’ve really had your best season ever! Australians have a knack of being inconvenient, that’s the larrikin in us, I reckon you’ll do it next week – no one deserves it more. Whatever, you gave us the best Monaco victory ever this year, it’s a proud thrill watching you race. Go get em champ!
What happens if Seb’s winning, your in second and Alonso is third… Does Seb let you through? I hope so.
You’ve done what it takes for the team Mark. Now it is your turn. DON’T DIE WONDERING!
A fantastic year for the whole team, congratulations on the Constructors’ Championship! And a beautiful race for you, you did great. Looking forward to the last race and seeing you becoming the Champion, the best is still to come! Warm greetings from Poland ._.
Mark Webber is the Team Principal of MW Arden, a three car team in the new GP3 series supporting European Grands Prix.
Mark, I really want you to be champion this year, you deserve it a lot, because your team treated you like a second driver the whole season and you proved your point to be in equal status comparising with Vettel´s skill. Good luck in Yas Marina!