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One stop too many costs Mark probable podium

POSTED ON August 01st, 2011

Mark finished an eventful Hungarian Grand Prix in fifth place. However, his chances of a fifth consecutive podium ended late in the race when he was forced to make an extra pit stop for dry tyres after a heavy rain shower failed to materialise.

“When it started to rain with 20 laps to go,” says Mark, “I pitted for intermediate tyres. Everyone was skidding around in front of me at the entrance to the pitlane, so I made the call to pit. It didn’t work out because the heavier rain didn’t come and I had to pit for dries a couple of laps later, but I wanted to roll the dice.”

Until that point Mark had been ahead of Fernando Alonso, who finished third.

All of the cars started the race on intermediate tyres, following a pre-race rain shower. The racing line dried quickly, however, and Mark was the first driver to pit for slicks on lap 10.

“The rain cleaned both sides of the grid,” says Mark, “but the clean side still had an advantage. The asphalt was still pretty slippery where I was and I lost a couple of positions away from the line. The Mercedes’ were very quick out of the blocks.

“The cross-over point to slicks was a difficult call, but we got it absolutely right. I was immediately fastest in sectors two and three, yet some drivers stayed out for two more laps. That gained me a lot of time and moved me from sixth to fourth.”

Lewis Hamilton was another driver to make the call for intermediates late in the race. He emerged from the pits just behind Mark and they traded lap times for the next six laps, until they caught a gaggle of six slower cars.

“I caught the cars at just the wrong point on the track,” says Mark. “The closing speed was massive; it was like they were in a Formula Ford race and we were upon them very quickly. Lewis found a way through and I pushed him all the way home.”

Mark heads from Budapest to Salzburg, where he has some work to do for Red Bull before starting his summer break on Wednesday.

“Everyone in the team deserves this break,” says Mark. “I’ll take a few days off and enjoy a few glasses of red, but the training will start again after not too long. I’ll be doing some cycling in the French Alps as well, which I’m looking forward to.

“It’s fantastic to know that the next race on the calendar is at Spa-Francorchamps. All of the drivers look forward to that place and I’ll be doing my best to win. A victory is going to come when we least expect it.”

// ends

Comments
helene POSTED August 17th, 2011

profitez bien de ce break et revenez nous en grande forme pour spa ou j’espere etre et voir une jolie victoire amitié HELENE

Eva POSTED August 04th, 2011

Wish you a happy rest!…Enjoy in Alpe d’Huez!!

Tanya POSTED August 03rd, 2011

Hi Mark!
I`ve seen many Australian flags on the track together with Ukrainian (including my small ones :) ). Maybe you`ll visit Ukraine some day? ;)
I was a bit sad after the race, but then after your words I realized you`d enjoyed it and the result wasn`t the most important thing. Absolutely sure you will not retire while having so much passion in your eyes!
And I was deeply impressed by your attitude to us fans and common people! Many-many thanks again!!!

Wendy POSTED August 03rd, 2011

Good race Mark. Enjoy your time off. Really hope you won’t be retiring any time soon. You’re still an excellent racing driver with a few more wins in you I’m sure!

Stu POSTED August 02nd, 2011

Fair call Mark. No doubt you were advised about the rain by the guys on the wall so some degree of influence there – weather prediction is very shaky at the best of times.
On another subject, what the hell is Marko doing making announcements about your career? That guy should put a nappy over his mouth.
I hope it is a case of ‘reports of my retirement are greatly exaggerated’!
Give em heaps mate.

josh POSTED August 02nd, 2011

Enjoy the cycling! Can’t wait to see you back in action. Cheers.

Ward Paterson POSTED August 02nd, 2011

Good race mate. Word on the street is that you’re retiring @ the end of 2012?!?! Mate don’t do it. You’re still in there fighting with the best of them. Maybe look to head over to Ferrari or Mclaren (where there are no team orders)??

Either way, the best is yet to come!

Dana (Dubai) POSTED August 02nd, 2011

Hi Mark
keep working and fighting.. the problem is not in your driving or in you, the problem is in the car and in the team. If your car as the same as vettel for sure you will take the front from him and make a big pressure on him, this is the fact that the team worry about it. you are a big fighter work for your name.
** don’t retier next year you can race many years more,
** don’t achive dr.Marko wish?!!!!!
What is his problem?!!
**********************
Hallo site manager
Some funs say that Mark not read or interested about the comments under the articles, I hope that not true.
thanks for your effort.

Mark Webber Site Manager POSTED August 02nd, 2011

Hi there – rest assured that although he’s a busy guy, Mark does take note of the comments – whether reading them first-hand or being told about them – and he very much appreciates all the support he receives.

Viktoriya POSTED August 02nd, 2011

Was delightfull to see you are not from the TV screen!In life you are even more beautiful…
Thank you for the positive emotions and good race. YOU ARE THE BEST! Have a nice rest.

Anette POSTED August 02nd, 2011

Yeah, be careful cycling in Alps, we don’t want repeat from last year :) Greetings from Poland, I still believe you’ll win this season :)

Bidi POSTED August 02nd, 2011

Enjoy your break but not too many glasses of red before getting on one of those dangerous bikes! Horses and racing cars much safer as something in each corner. Looking forward to your next podium in Spa.

soraya POSTED August 02nd, 2011

he! yes I was sad yesterday, but I’m sur not as much as you, now have a good holiday in “alpes” don t break anything!!! and, well “france” wine, enjoy! next “Spa”!!! good luck.

TRICKO POSTED August 01st, 2011

Hate to say it but i do like a damp race,very exciting stuff.Master Hamilton well…PILLOCK.Will start to get the dt’s by the weekend with no racing butyou all need a breather,a glass of red and cycling sounds great maybe just not in that order.We want you back for Spa on top form and ready to kick A***.Oh and whens that contract going to signed??? Happy Hols from Hampshire.

Scruffo POSTED August 01st, 2011

Unlucky Mark. Could have gone either way with your choice. Great competition. Love watching every minute from the outback in the Northern Territory. Looking forward to the next race. Cheers

Miriam POSTED August 01st, 2011

Enjoy your break!Please be careful when cycling;-)
Relax and recharge your batteries!Enjoy your break!

Peter M POSTED August 01st, 2011

Pity about the traffic after a good recovery. Onto Spa. Close last year. All the best for one better.

Lara POSTED August 01st, 2011

Hi Mark !
You have many fans In Russia. And we love you !
You have spent good race in Hungary.
Many thanks to you for beautiful overtakings.
Good rest for you, and we will wait you in Spa !
From Russia

PeteH POSTED August 01st, 2011

Onya Mark.Still smiling from you giving Alonso a lift !Sportsmanship thats been missing.Glad ur up for next year;c u in Texas !

Silvia POSTED August 01st, 2011

First of all, WELCOME to my Homecountry – Austria. Good race in Budapest, unfortunatly the expected rain didn’t come. Stuff it, be that as it may, you are one of the best drivers ever. Enjoy cycling and the glasses of red, cheers.

3 Amigos POSTED August 01st, 2011

Mard! Bad luck yesterday! Now have a nice holliday!

Andrea POSTED August 01st, 2011

Hey Mark!!!

For me you did your best again, ok there was this wrong decision obviously done by yourself this time… world don’t fall because of that…

And I’m meanwhile a bit angry with your “Fans” because as I saw on facebook some of them not seem to support you really only if you at least have a podium…

Enjoy having your break, relax and recover and come back stronger then and maybe you’re right to become the victory when you don’t expect it!!!!

Have nice holidays, take good care of you and come back healthy at the end of August ♥

Kisses from Austria ;) !!

Dian POSTED August 01st, 2011

“Enjoy a few glasses of red” Nice ;)
Cycling???!!! :S Take care, please!!!
Have nice break :)

chopper POSTED August 01st, 2011

Nice words nice driving.Tuff race give,m hell in spa.Webber01#

Tommo POSTED August 01st, 2011

Good Race Mark,
Nothing ventured nothing gained. The tables could have turned and it could have belted down with rain, but unfortunately it didnt when you needed it to. I guess also not having all your new toys and gagdgets wouldnt have helped either. I wish you a better race with your KERS (curse more like it) in Spa.

Tommo.

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