
Mark finished third in today’s German Grand Prix. Surprisingly, given the atrocious weather conditions early on race day, the 60-lap grand prix was dry throughout and F1 fans were treated to a thrilling race-long battle between Mark, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
“It must have been a good race for people watching at home,” says Mark, “but I’ve come away with mixed emotions. Third is a decent result, but I’m a bit disappointed. I’d hoped for more after starting from pole position and I gave it everything I could, but it wasn’t enough. We weren’t quick enough today.”
Hamilton beat Mark away from pole position, but he didn’t pull a gap and they had a thrilling scrap during the opening stint. On a couple of occasions Mark nearly found a way through.
“My start wasn’t too bad, but Lewis got a cracker,” says Mark. “He was leading before the braking zone for Turn 1, so there was nothing I could do to defend my position. I’d have liked to convert pole, but pole doesn’t mean as much this year as in the past. Fernando was third into Turn 1 at Silverstone and Jenson was 18th at the end of lap one in Canada, and they went on to win those races.”
Mark undercut Hamilton at the first of his three pitstops to re-take the lead, but the pace of the top three cars was very similar and it was difficult for him to pull a gap.
“When I got into the lead I thought it was my chance to pull a gap,” says Mark. “In my efforts to do that, I used the tyres a bit too much and that hurt me at the end of the stint. My second pitstop was nearly a second slower than my first as well, and when you add those factors together I lost the lead to Lewis again.”
With the option tyre about 1.5s per lap faster than the prime, the drivers switched to the prime rubber as late as possible. Mark made his change on lap 56 of 60, by which time Hamilton had the race won. Mark crossed the line 9.7s behind the race winner.
“McLaren and Ferrari weren’t hanging around here,” says Mark. “They’ve made progress and we know what we’ve got to improve on. Now the focus switches immediately to next weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.”
In the famous Senna/Mansell lift incident Senna reported every reading from Mansell’s dash back to McLaren – wonder if Alonsa did that too…
Hi Mark, well done ,a great battle and Seb behind you three, brilliant ! I know pole doesn’t mean you get to convert it easily in first pl. it’s obviousely to complex.Hope you have a bit more luck with all your pitstops and better timing for getting your fresh tyres at the Hungarian GP! All the best!
Cheers Petra
Cheer up Mark!
Top step of podium is close, hopefully Hungary…crossed my fingers!
Ooops! I meant Senna of course!!!
Well done Mark. Wondered if you considered following Lewis into the pits on the last round of pitstops? Would you have got 2nd? Martin B. seemed to think your revs drop off at the wrong moment at the start. Is that the problem? Loved the Mansell- Prost moment at the end! Keep up the good work
Big fan Mark! But in all honesty, Lewis’ car was flyin’. It was like a bobtail truck. Better luck next time.
Mr W,
I never really became immersed in F1 til, you came aboard
To me you are the complete driver. The epitome of cool, calm, well rounded, even tempered
I admire your skills
You never EVER make excuses. You are looked upon by your peers as just that
I think you will win this.
Pitstops were the undoing in De. but you did not say so
I know you do not read these posts, but, God I wish my two sons had your drive
Best MW Stu
Mark,
Another good solid drive considering the start & pit stop, otherwise most important more points. It was a great weekend to see other sportsman from Australia flying the flag with a win for Will, Casey & Cadel. Do not allow disappointment to get you down, dig deep and I strongly believe you will get the number one podium finishes that you deserve. Go that Aussie grit. Good luck for the Hungary GP.
Mar, great pic of you and Alonso on James Allen site. On my desktop now. Keep up the good work.
GUTTED!!Only just coming out of my gloomy mood.So sorry for you,did an excellent job racing like a demon.Why cant they bring you in at the right time and get you in front!All is not lost,bring on the Hungaroring,COME ON THE WEBBER you CAN do it
Good stuff mate, exciting race to watch, it was a seesaw between the 3 of you – as always you gave it your best and you’re still well in the hunt. Next weekend should be good, all the best.
Well, at least Cadel got it. I bet you tried just as hard and the tyres are a Joker [maybe that helps Fernando
].
I wish the rules weren’t so artificial. You’d be winning fairly then.
But “stay with it” – we are shouting for you.
You say: ” I gave it everything I could, but it wasn’t enough” Nooooo, ¡¡¡Fuaaa!!! (haha mexican joke) Give you more than you can
“My start wasn’t too bad” says Mark. Error! was very poor and were lucky not to lose more positions. You should improve yours starts!!!
mixed emotions, well same here, but the next race!! really looking to see you this week end “on the top off that podium”!!! will be watching good luck!!!
good job Mark, pity the revs started dying at the start, but, after that you did really well, except for the decision not to follow the other two into the pit, leaving you hanging out there too late…gee let’s hope you get better treatment next time…
What a treat 3 real racing drivers being allowed race. I thought you drove like demon in practice but I think Lewis had got some funky rocket fuel. Just remember it is you who is reducing the gap the most. Looking forward to the next race. Be Brilliant.
… from Poland.
Mark, it was fantastic driving-show, even you are a bit disappointed after the race. You are great driver and you give us lots of emotions in each race (but please not non-stop on the start). Keep pushing, Aussie roo. The win is at close hand. We will with you in Hungary. You are our favorite driver whilst the absence of Robert Kubica.
Good luck
Congrats on another great podium finish Mark! That elusive win can’t be far off, hopefully one in Singapore as there will no doubt be a few Aussies there supporting you onto glory, myself included. Oh, also good to not see #1 RBR on the podium. Chase him down Mark!
A good strong race from you Mark. You made the guys in front earn their places in the race. Keep it up and hopefully the team can find something in the car to give you guys what you need next week to get that edge to be ‘leading the most important lap, the last lap’ just to quote you during your post-quali press conference. Good Luck next weekend!
With a better second pit stop while Lewis was fast you could have held him. The diference between that and Seb’s last would have made the difference. Go in Hungary.
Maaaaate,what can i say.Keep up the good work, and i have the voodoo doll pins for Sebbie.
Exciting to watch the three of you go at it – and no Vettel. Sorry you couldn’t be on the top rung with Evans and Stoner but still we need to expect Ferrari and McLaren to close the gap. Now RB needs to find the way to widen it. Perhaps Hungary
what a shame! this was your career!
races do not always win in court.
You’re a great companion for carrying Alonso!
you have more luck in hungary.
You have renewed another year with RB, I’m glad I’ll still a great team, but then in another race team rider you would be the pilot number 1
Hi Taxi-driver, you are the fastes taxi and Alonso sure he was happy to drive with a Red Bull. You did a really good job, it was a very exciting race, the best of this season, your performance was fantastic, only the timing for the pit-stops was not so good, but Seb behind you … very well done. Thank you so much.
Seems like the opposition are out-updating RBR. Time for the think tank. Well done on third Mark, hope you can fight for one or two steps higher in Hungary.
What a pity,but nevertheless it was a good race!Congratulations!Saw you in turn 7,that was great!
Good luck for next sunday!Hope you are getting to the top of the podium!
Thank you guys for real racing, fine race, fine podium, and soon it seem’s to get mark on the middle podium position
Mark! Honestly a bit disappointed Its a shame you have to pit! I wanted to see you first! I am sure we dont have to wait for too long to see you 1st!
you always loose at the start.. whats the problem there? i think it is about time that you show your opponents that they cannot just overtake you at the start…. anyway i keep my fingers crossed that you can win with one of the best cars. i like your way of saying what you think, hope this is not just something the media makes of you..
good luck
Hi Mark!!
Even if I can understand it, it’s hard to see so disappointed again but I know you’d so very much like to get your first victory!!!!
You did a great job did the best with your tricky situation again!!!
Next chance in one week in Hungary
!!!
All the best, have a good week meanwhile ♥♥!!!
Great to watch mark. Another podium finish you are a doing well, don’t beat yourself up mate as you did everything right. Well done come on aussie in Hungary I say and you’ll do well and remember people love seeing the Aussie win, well done mate.
Another great race, great to see good racing and good results. A great weekend for Aussies on wheels. Keep on in there good results are now in yor DNA.
Great race Mark and in the same breath we were disspaointed for you as well. A team is only as good as its weakest point and that was not you for sure. It must have been infuriating to see your position evaporate on a slow stop. Yet you kept your head and frustrations and soldiered on. Points are points but i guess the P1 eludes you but not from a lack of trying. Now Hungary.
Your the man Mark great drive.Stay strong.your my fav by far.You have alot off support back here in australia.race hard and good luck.Webber01#
Nice comments FIA post-race conference, Mark. You’re a standout among the F1 paddock. Respect.
well done Mark!! Greetings from Spain
Mark, I am cheering for you and wish you well even in spite of what appears to be a difficult team situation that you face but you just gotta get off the line better than you do. Otherwise, it looked like a fantastic race
Hi Mark
Qualifying: perfect
Race:(no comment) or….the sound of your car was strange at the start (you know mor about your car).I think if you was the first one in the third pit ,you will get the win. I hope improve the strategy also not only the car. I wish to see you on the front next gp.. keep pushing.
Well done, keep up the self disciple and belief mate and job will be done…..
Great job, Mark!
Unfortunately, I couldn´t watch the race, but I heard about your great performance. Iam so happy that you defeated the German forefinger! Go on, Mark!
Congratulations from the Czech republic.:)
Mark, another great show of race driving. However,
when on pole your car seems to be slow off the blocks whilst the other seem to shoot past. I have been fan of yours for along time now since your F3 days. You are a worthy Champ and gentleman. One other thing somebody seems to make U turns – suddenly points count!! in the end. Keep pushing the win will come hopefully next weekend.
Congrats to another podium Mark. A great and exciting race…after several third places it’s time for the top of the podium? Hope everything is on your side in Hungary!
Congratulation!Consistentresults is a great success!The whole race was in suspense…
The next race will watch from the grandstand 82uand really want to see you in Budapest on the podium again.
Well done Mark, you did the best you could with the pace today after a brilliant qualifying. Keep pushing and the win will come which you so deserve. The rest of the season looks very interesting and we will be with you all the way! x
From Spain…thank u for the best picture of the weekend (” two friends in a F1 car”).You´re our second favorite driver (Alonso is our number one…of course)
Congratulations Mark! adn go ahead!!
Mark, it was another great race, many thanks! Your time will come, good things come to good people, think positive. You are an excellent driver, if anything fails, it is the team’s policy. Looking forward to Hungary, so close to Poland, hope this helps
Be proud of yourself, always! All the best
Mark Webber is the Team Principal of MW Arden, a three car team in the new GP3 series supporting European Grands Prix.
Mark, I was thrilled to see you take pole. What the heck is happening on the starts? Maybe you could come over here in So Cal and get some time on a Drag Racing simulator, hold the rev’s up and pop the clutch a mill-sec before the Red lights out. Really, is the KERS working for you at the start? I think if you were in front, your tire changes would have worked out. You crew is fast!! And so are you. Come on man, kick some… and get a slug of wins!!