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Mark happy with competitive Valencia performance

POSTED ON June 27th, 2011

Mark enjoyed his most competitive showing of the year at the European Grand Prix in Valencia. For three-quarters of the race he shadowed eventual winner Sebastian Vettel, only for a strategy call to work against him with 16 laps to go.

 “Up until my last pitstop,” says Mark, “it was my best race of the year. It was nice to have Seb in sight and, as was the case in Turkey, my mirrors were full of Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari. The three of us were never separated by more than five seconds until the last pitstop and we couldn’t afford to back off for a moment.”

The decisive blow came when Mark pitted for his final set of tyres on lap 41. By stopping before Fernando, he hoped to extend his advantage over the Ferrari driver, but the opposite turned out to be the case.

“I thought a new set of prime tyres would be faster than the used set of options on Fernando’s car,” says Mark. “Unfortunately, I was wrong: Fernando was able to lap faster than me and, in the end, that was enough for him to pass me. It was frustrating not to finish second, but there were still a lot of positives to take away from this weekend.”

Indeed there were: Mark qualified on the front row, just behind team-mate Vettel, and he didn’t put a foot wrong in the race. His only on-track frustrations came in traffic, when he lost a lot of time behind the Hispania of Narain Karthikeyan, and in the closing laps, when a suspected gearbox problem forced him to slow his pace.

“Overtaking has always been difficult in Valencia,” says Mark, “and two DRS zones didn’t seem to make much difference. The problem is that the straights aren’t really straight and it’s very dusty off-line, so it’s hard to out-brake another car.”

Mark now heads home to the UK, ahead of the next race at Silverstone. Between now and the British Grand Prix, the teams have got to get their heads around a rule change concerning the use of off-throttle exhaust gases.

“It’s a significant change,” says Mark, “but I’m not expecting it to shake up the order too much. All of the teams have got to adapt to the new rules, not just us, and I hope the RB7 will still be competitive.” 

// ends

Comments
Dian POSTED July 21st, 2011

I apologize for seeing this late and… I misinterpreted your words, I thought you were trying to offend ^^
Your way to encourage Mark is very aggressive…. maybe it’s good for him to read comments like yours to take another attitude :P because most of the comments are cute lol
I will not mention the factors, you should know them and I don’t want to sound aggressive haha ^.^
You like me, you must have a positive thought, Mark Webber makes us suffer for the moment but we will have a greater happiness when he will be finally champion ;) I think on this every day :D

Aris POSTED July 04th, 2011

Dian, yes, I don’t know a lot.Just Tell me wich factors are not good by Mark? It’s interesting to hear for me. I am Marks fan, and I want see him bitteng his teammate like last year. Mark said he want to be the champ thes year with the strongest car in the field, but I’m just disapointing not to see this from Mark. ;) Greating, and TO Moderator, don’t be angray, little emotion about th racing thesyear. :) Comon Mark you are 34. It’s not late to be the champion.

Dian POSTED July 03rd, 2011

Aris, is no question of thought, if so, everybody we would be champions lol.
There are many factors that influence the outcome of the drivers, I can’t believe you don’t know this!! Possibly because you are not professional like him
MW. Greetings

Aris POSTED July 01st, 2011

I’m honestly not happy with your races this year. I do not know, why are you so slow and can not get over this German? Do not you want to be world champion? Why are you in Formula 1?

Site Moderator POSTED July 01st, 2011

….and I do not know why you are writing on this site!

3 Amigos POSTED June 30th, 2011

Mark!!! Wow! You wants to fly! Oooooh Yessss! Yipee! I learned last year too! Wish you the best of luck!!!!

Dana (Dubai) POSTED June 29th, 2011

Hi Mark I hope that u r in a good health.

1- 8 races with 8 problems withe 8 perfect recovery.

2- unbelievable thing that u have car’s issues every race and Vettel not,all the f1′s fans r asking?

3- To be honest, in 2010 u would’nt have been satisfied about third. untile now we didn’t see Mark competing for win. Absolutely there is reasons, but we didn’t give up to see u in front.

4-In Q3 u prove that u can beat S.V. if u was faster in sectors 1&2.

5- I’m with u because u deserve and I hate the oppression!! we r waiting for Mark 2010?!

Richard POSTED June 28th, 2011

Hi Mark, Well done on another solid drive & more points & a much better result than last year, lets hope that you get a car without those gremlins for the next race that will put you on the top of the podium. Couple of things that stands out above all from your driving is your determination, never give up & your professional approach which puts you head & shoulders above the other F1 drivers.
I wish you all the best for Silverstone & bring it home in 1st position.
Perth WA

Viktoriya POSTED June 28th, 2011

Congratulation ! Excellent drive,Mark,as always,beautiful,professionally and inellectually.

Mike POSTED June 28th, 2011

Outstanding, as always Mark. What a trooper. Very proud to be a supporter

josh POSTED June 28th, 2011

Good job Mark! Nice post race conference. Took the bad final pit stop call like a man. No finger pointing. Other F1 drivers take note.

Ann POSTED June 28th, 2011

Even though it wasn’t the middle step of the podium you raced well today. considering last years race at Valencia this one was brilliant :) hopelfully at Silverstone you’ll take that middle step on the podium. Well done Mark

Christopher Smith POSTED June 28th, 2011

Great drive Mark. Must be tough at the moment with Seb, but keep strong and you’ll come through – still rooting for you.

3 Amigos POSTED June 28th, 2011

Well done! Want to see you 1st! Not 2nd or 3rd! Saw your pic at Wimbledon! In twitter!!! Very smart must be hot!!!!

Silvia POSTED June 28th, 2011

Congratulations, what a great race, thank you for this performance. Silverstone is ready for you. Good luck
Silvia

Wendy POSTED June 28th, 2011

Saw you sitting in the Royal Box at Wimbledon. Hope you enjoyed the tennis. Looked very smart in your suit. Good to see Tomic do so well also.

Wendy POSTED June 27th, 2011

Well raced despite all the gremlins. Unlucky with last pit stop. Keep up the good work.

bruce POSTED June 27th, 2011

A good race Mark, your in your own backyard for the next race so you can have a lie in!! good luck at Silverstone

Agnieszka POSTED June 27th, 2011

A wonderful race and a beautiful start, awesome!!! It was fantastic to see you on the podium and trying to splash the lady mayor with champagne, hilarious! Congratulations and good luck in GB. All the best from Poland :)

Peter M POSTED June 27th, 2011

One of these days Red Bull must give you an equal car. You have proven before when that occurs and your luck is not bad you are a winner. We are still with you. The season is not half way yet so top the podium in Britain.

Joannah POSTED June 27th, 2011

Well done Mark, great weekend for you. I was there in Valencia cheering you on like crazy…a lot of fun in the sea of Ferrari shirts ;) . Bring on Silverstone, time for a win and I’m sure you can do it :) ).

Núria POSTED June 27th, 2011

Congratulations, Mark for your great result!

Andrea POSTED June 27th, 2011

Congrats Mark, maybe others say that it’s only P3, for me it is as fantastic as for you because the past three races you were out of luck in Valencia!!! You’re really amazing, I’m extremely impressed by your strengh because you had problems with the RB7 again and I think there’s no other driver who could do what you can!!! Never change please, you’re my champion!!!! xxx

Tommo POSTED June 27th, 2011

Well raced Mark,

points are points and as 2010 proved consistency pays dividends. i think your having your fair share of gremlins and at the most awkward times too that doesnt make things easier. thats racing hey. thwe top step will come with time mate. good work.

Tommo.

Dina A. POSTED June 27th, 2011

STRONG RACE,STRONG MARK !!!!

Unlucky last pitstop.. without the gearbox problem you could’ve finished second… great to see you close to Vettel…
Mark, you’ve been fighting very, very hard in every single
race, thank you so much for giving us edge of our seat entertainment !!!

KEEP UP THE TOP EFFORT CHAMP !!!

Mandy Watkin POSTED June 27th, 2011

Well done Mark you had a brilliant race despite a couple of hiccups, don’t be disheartened. Chill for a while and prepare for Silverstone. Look forward to seeing you there :) x

Eva POSTED June 27th, 2011

Mark, Congrats on the podium and chilled champagne!!
Victory is comming…

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Mark Webber is the Team Principal of MW Arden, a three car team in the new GP3 series supporting European Grands Prix.

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