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The 2011 Formula One World Championship kicked off in Melbourne on Sunday. The 58-lap Australian Grand Prix ended with Mark taking fifth place.
“I made a good start from third on the grid,” says Mark, “but it soon became apparent that I was in for a difficult afternoon. The tyre degradation on my RB7 was way too high in relation to Seb’s car and we’re still trying to work out the reasons for that.”
Mark was forced to make three tyre stops to Vettel’s two and he had to contend with a lack of grip as well. His second stint, from laps 27 to 42, was ruined by particularly poor grip on the hard tyre and echoed the problems he’d had during qualifying.
But for all Mark’s troubles, there were positives for Red Bull Racing to take from the weekend. “Seb’s pace proved that the RB7 is a quick car,” says Mark, “and we both had perfect reliability. The guys in Milton Keynes have done a phenomenal job and I’m 100 percent focused on finding out why I’ve struggled for pace all weekend.
“The telemetry after the race gave us a few pointers, but we really need to strip the car down to see if there was something seriously wrong. I won’t be lining myself up for races like the one I’ve just had every weekend.”
The race saw the introduction of several innovations across the grid, one of which was Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS). Red Bull Racing didn’t use the system when it was last permitted in F1 in 2009 and the team didn’t use it at Albert Park either.
“I didn’t have KERS on my car all weekend,” says Mark. “Seb ran it during Friday practice, but the team took the decision not to race it on either car. We’ll hone the system over the next couple of weeks and hope to use it in Malaysia.”
Another innovation for Australia was the introduction of a moveable rear wing, or drag reduction system (DRS). It could only be used on one 600-metre stretch of the pit straight, and only by cars that were within one second of the car in front. But its effectiveness was questionable.
“I was right behind Lewis Hamilton on lap three,” says Mark, “and I expected the DRS to help me pass him. It made no difference; he continued to pull away. It was then that I knew it was going to be a very long afternoon.
“But it’s too early to write the DRS system off because the corner onto the pit straight at Albert Park was too quick. It wasn’t possible to stay close to the car in front. Sepang will be very different because there is a very slow hairpin leading onto the pit straight, so I think it will be more effective there.”
Prior to Malaysia, however, Mark’s focus will revolve around trying to extract more performance from his RB7 in the coming races.
“I’m pretty self-critical,” he says, “and at Albert Park I was a long way off getting the result that the car was capable of. I’m expecting the tyre situation to be very different in Malaysia and I expect to take a step forward.”
// ends
estoy con vos pero me gustaría que hicieras menos sociales y te concentres más en la carrera. suerte
Interesting race Mark, a little bit like last race of last year. Keep pushing and Malaysia will be good. Also focus on yourself and don’t be distracted by the anti Seb brigade. You will certainly win and on your merits thats all that counts. Good luck this weekend will be watching as usual from home in Bali. Willcertainly see you win in Singapore from the track for once and I still remember your efforts in your first race in melbourne trackside was just great watching your performance. go for it Mark
oncentration!! Have a nice week
everyone knows how competive F1 is but you will always be at odds when you haven’t got equal equipment with your team mate,the cars looked visably different,best of luck for the rest of the season
Any news on the condition of the chassis?
I knew the tyres would be trouble,no mind 5th wasnt that bad!
Forget the wing just get it to stick.
2011 is yours mate..
Mmmm reminds me of the Prost Mansel situation… :-/
Mark,this is round one of your fight and the fighter you are on the track will make you number 1 this year. Keep up the good work your an impressive driver, you’ve got it.
Hey Mark,You are a true champion. It was my first ever GP, and it was great to see you try so hard. keep it up, a full year to go.So proud to be Australian when seeing you race.
redbull should cut the bull and be equal i think a little bit on the nose love you mark
Hi Mark,
Great effort on Sunday and I’m sure things will improve for the rest of the season. Like most Australian’s I am a big fan. I have sacrificed a lot of sleep over the years to watch every race that you have competed in. I love the way you drive and the way you conduct yourself on and off the track. However, I was slightly disappointed that you didn’t complete a final lap. It was the first time I have watched a GP live and it would have been nice to give you a cheer at the end of the race. A few kids around us were also upset. All the best for 2011..
Mark, sunday may not of been the result you wanted, but all your fans will stick with you no matter what. the results will soon be yours. all the best in Malaysia.xx
hope it was just a bad day and not another screw over to give seb a win!!! head up high we are behind you and know you can still take the championship all the best for malaysia
Sinceramente lamento lo que ocurrió en el último gran premio. Te sigo desde hace mucho… desde 2003 y mi hija que ahora tiene 4 años también es tu fan. Espero que el equipo para el que corrés se dé cuenta de que vos no sólo tenés un gran talento sino que además tenés experiencia y aplomo, cosa que no se le encuentra a Vettel. El año pasado sufrí muchísimo cada carrera. Este año voy a seguir con vos en cada gran premiio. Un abrazo y mucha suerte.
Gabriela desde Argentina
Hey Mark your 10 points to the better compared with 2010. Keep focused on the end of season mate and you will join Jack & Alan as ozzie legends.
Like everyone else we are with you na dhave been since the F Ford days. Hope you find out why the car was not perfect and do one better than 2010 in Malaysia.
Hi Mark
Under the circumstances you done a great job. Lets hope Red Bull pulls there nose’s out of seb’s ass and start giving you an identical car. Best of luck mate!
PS. Red Bull you can get stuffed!
Hey Mark.
Congratulations on being a great sportsman and roll model for kids.I know very little about the performances of these F1′s but to the naked eye the red bull No 1 car looks so much quicker than the No 2 car. when your car is quick we know you can beat Seb. I imagine it is frustrating for you. Stay focused on your ultimate dream, I am looking forward to it.
Mark..5th place is still a good result. It’s only the first race with a long way to go. Don’t let Sunday get you down. Just look forward. We are so proud of you. You WILL get the results you have been working so hard for.xox
Hope you have had a chance to run with Shaddow and Simba and that they have told you that one race means nothing – they still love you & thats whats important!
Sure it was dissapointing but it was just great to be able to watch an Aussie at all in the Melbourne Grand Prix. Chin up for the rest of the season and good luck.
Mark Malaysian GP win .. Forget Melbourne, we believe in you!
Hey mate, Patto, the boys and I were at the race and we were cheering you on. This is your season so stay focused. Australia is behind you mate..
Jet
Hi Mark,
A lot of speculation about a chassis issue flying about. Is there any truth in it, and was it enough to explain the difference in performance?
Go Mark,
Just wondering why u didnt complete the lap after the race – my son was upset as he want to wave the aussie flag for you.
Well done Mark, we’re all very proud of you. Good luck with the rest of the season.
Mark, no doubts you did your best, but this difference of .8 secs seems strange… Keeping fingers the Team will do the best too :=)
Mark,
You will bounce back mate. Show them what that Aussie Grit is all about. We believe in you!!
keep cool Mark you can do it. Wish all works well for you for the next race in Malaysia. It is just the beginning and you did well.
You had some problems last weekend in Melbourne, but that happens in motorsport, you will have bad weekends here and there… You can bounce back just like you have in the past from bigger situations. Can’t wait for Sepang where we’ll see the stronger Mark fight for the title… YOU GO GET THEM!!!!
A great effort in very difficult circumstances, your fans could be forgiven thinking that the problems with your car in qualifying and race day where more of the same from last year. Horner’s comments to Seb on the radio on winning didn’t do much to dispel that notion. Your up against it for sure, that’s when we see you at your best – give it heaps.
Hope they find the issue with the car .
There is no way that .8 secs behind Seb is normal . Anyway, crap happens , keep going mate and remember how you lead most of last year .
Hey Mark,
Don’t lose site of the big picture. I’m sure there will be wins this year form you. good luck in Malaysia.
Sorry that you had such a frustrating race yesterday. Sounds to me like you you did very well to get 5th under the circumstances! Lets hope the team get to the bottom of the problems and that you go to Malaysia with the right set-up. Then we’ll see!!!
Not even Australian (Dutch actually)but been a Mark Webber supporter for a long time. One thing I can’t stand is seeing Vettel win! C’mon Mark….go get him
mark, hoping to buggery you guys sort that car of yours, otherwise Sebs going to walk all over you, and the rest of the field. We simply cant have that, find the gremlin and ring its neck.
Dear Mark, it wasn’t your day on Sunday at Melbourne Albert Park, however I am sure your time will come soon enough. Looking forward for next races as I am sure you will be standing many times on top podium! it was my pleasure wearing “your” cap and t-shirt at Albert Park. This is the first race, it’s long way to the title – you can and will do it!! Best of luck!
Mark,
Hard and fast all year should do it,
Yeh. things just started. Don’t give up, believe in yourself. Cheers
Took my kids to their first Grand Prix, had a great day.
To finish fifth with 3 pitstops is a great achievement, re-focus for Malaysia and “stick it up em”. All the best for the season.
Hey Mark, it was not your day, clearly the car was under performing but you did try your best, thats all you can do. You gained some valuable points which is big positive. I was pleased to see that you handled the whole KERS affair with honesty and credibility, I cannot say the same for Seb, he clearly lied about it and misled people and thats disappointing. Your an inspiration Mark, your genuine, honest and an excellent driver..your the bench mark for us all.
Hey Mark, the season is long, you still have 18 races to win! You can not win every race
keep cool!
good luck for Malaysia!
Don’t worry Mark, I hope the techniques learned from the mistakes of the race, but could have tested the pneumatic drive with sebastian!
Good luck in the next race, I know that will not disappoint
Thank you for yesterday. Life wouldn’t be so great without F1. F1 wouldn’t be so great without you. I’m convinced this season you will have numerous chances to show all your talents. You are the best, full stop. All the best from Poland
Regardless of the result, we all know your talent mate. RB7 is still young and once you iron it out, she’ll be a crackingly good car. Beleive me, I am booking Singapore now in complete faith! Good luck in Round 2 mate.
Mark, it’s only race one! I’m sure your going to bounce back bigger and stronger…all of Australia is behind you mate!…go kick some arse….
Mark
Seems like you were checking out seb’s tires or front wing end plates after qualifying finished. Was there a thought that the front grip was missing even at that point?
Mark, it was only the first race of the season. Don’t worry about that result!! We know you are better than this!!! Good luck for the next!!!!
Sorry Mark.
My coven and I tried to remove that Australian GP curse.
We hope you will crush em next round.
Go get ‘em Champ.
Hi mark, good day its gud to face difficulties now. U will knw the tyres ur car performances. After knwin ur car performances ten frm tat u amend n focus on wen n wat lap to change ur tyres. Sumtimes car performances cm be at its best from starting n sumtimes sum cars r not but turns out the best in the last. So tk it as practise session n knw more in details for ur tyre escpecially. Remeber a story of tortise and rabbit!
all the best…
championship is won at the end of the year. It’s a long season, have faith in your ability, your supporters do!
good luck Mark
Hey Mark, the ducks werent lined up for you on Sunday , but thats racing. 1 down 18 to go, i am positive many opportunities will arise for your benefit. if 2010 was anything to go by, then i am sure sebastian and yourself will be playing see-saw with P1. all the best for Sepang Mark.
I have been watching F1 races for 30 years, and it was obvious on the week-end that Seb’s engine was more highly strung. We were at corners 11/12 on the track, and Seb’s engine sounded different to Mark’s. It was noticeable through the ear muffs. Seb was definitely carrying more speed through this section of the track. I am guessing that Mark’s engine was not only down on power but also less fuel efficient, preventing Mark from attackgin Alonso, and also from doing a slow down lap to wave to the tens of thousands of fans. Hard luck Mark. But there is a whole season ahead, and you are on the board with some points. Just not the podium you deserve in Australia.
If you were not self critical, you wouldn’t be the winner that you are!
Any reason for not doing a warm down lap after the flag?
Yes Mark, it was a frustrating weekend but I’m sure whatever the problem is you and the team will find a solution and a way to keep the tyres happy.
YOU WILL SORT IT OUT -CHIN UP – GO MARK !!
I’m confident of a top result in Malaysia!
Mark, you will make it
Good on you Mark,
Keep your head high there is still plenty of racing to go mate
Tyres were completely destroyed at the end of the race, I don’t understand why….
And why didn’t Red Bull use Kers???
I’m glad to hear that Mark plans to strip the car down. I saw it emit smoke on acceleration from turn 9 into 10 during the mid part of the race and the engine sounded like it missed at the same time. I thought it might have expired not long after that.
The tyre wear and grip problems have to be overcome. If it can be set up to work on one car, surely the same can be achieved for the other.
Best of luck for the season Mark. I’m sure it will be even better than last year.
Hey! Thinking of you! Can’t say I know how you feeling right now! You can do it for the next races!Oh Yes!!! You can!!!! Pls make sure your car ok!
Don’t be too hard on yourself – there’s along way to go ’til Brazil. I know what you are capable of. Wishing you every success for the rest of the season. Booked my seat for Singapore!So see you there. Chin up x
I can understand your disappointment and your sadness today even if it hurts again!!! Melbourne was your homerace and you’re a proud Australian, even if you got 10 points, did a great job for Red Bull again and did the best you can with your tricky situation, I can imagine that only the victory was your satisfaction. My finishing commentary about the first race is “[site manager edit] P-Zeros”! I’m sure Malaysia will be your race and satisfy you again!!!! My heart and support are yours no matter what happens
)!!!!
Dear Mark,do not worry! The whole season ahead!You are very good driver and we belive in you!
I know you weren’t happy with your result at Albert Park but we’re all right behind you and you have the best car on the grid. Never lose sight of your dream. It is soooo close!
Mark Webber is the Team Principal of MW Arden, a three car team in the new GP3 series supporting European Grands Prix.
Malaysia coming soon… You can!!