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Webber fights back to take 4th at Monaco

POSTED ON May 30th, 2011

Mark drove a tenacious race to fourth place in today’s Monaco Grand Prix. A 15-second pitstop on lap 15 dropped him down the order, but he recovered well after pulling off some stunning passing moves.

“At Monaco you don’t get away scot-free with a pitstop like that,” says Mark. “There was a communication problem in the pits, with the result that the guys weren’t ready for me and I rejoined the race in 15th place.

“I knew that I was in for a difficult afternoon after that, but I kept my head. There’s always the high chance of a Safety Car around here; you’ve just got to make sure you’re not involved in it.”

Mark’s lengthy first pitstop wasn’t his first frustration of the weekend. He was forced to sit out the first practice session on Thursday due to a gearbox problem and he thinks that might have cost him in qualifying.

“With more mileage during practice,” says Mark, “I think I could have got Jenson [Button] because you learn something with every lap around here. I don’t think pole was in reach because Seb [Vettel] did a very good lap, but second place on the grid was possible.”

As it was, Mark lined up third and he lost a place at the start of the race to the fast-starting Ferrari of Fernando Alonso.

“Once again,” says Mark, “Fernando got the best start of everyone. Neither Seb nor I got a great start and had there been a longer run to the first corner, I think Seb would have lost a position or two. As it was, he held on and I had to slot in behind Fernando.”

Mark’s pace during the first stint was his weakest of the race, but it picked up whenever he was in free air as the fuel load came down. He was up to sixth by the first Safety Car period on lap 34, caused by an accident involving Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton, and he ended up setting the fastest lap of the race – his fourth fastest lap in five races – on the final lap.

“I certainly felt better with the car as the race went on,” he says. “We’ve got to work on my pace during the first part of the grand prix, when we’re carrying a lot of fuel. It wasn’t a problem last year, but I need to modify how I drive the car during the early laps because the tyres are very different in 2011.”

A multi-car accident stopped the race on lap 69, but it was re-started behind the Safety Car and the field had a six-lap dash to the flag. Mark was one of the beneficiaries of the re-start because he pulled off a wonderful passing move on Kamui Kobayashi to regain the fourth place that he’d held during the early laps.

“Sitting on the grid, waiting for the re-start was a bizarre feeling,” says Mark. “I had one objective: to pass Kobayashi. I pulled off a good move into the chicane because the track was very dirty off-line and he’s a brave young driver. You have to get your stuff together to win a battle against him.”

After back-to-back races in Spain and Monaco, there is now a two-week break in the calendar ahead of the next race, the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

// ends

Comments
skizziks POSTED June 07th, 2011

you’re a champ Mark, or at least you should be. Vettel may be the reigning world champion but he will never be a true champion until he publicly appologises and admits his guilt for trying to take you out at Turkey last year…oh btw, IMPROVE YOUR STARTS!!! :)

paulr POSTED June 06th, 2011

Firstly, congratualtions on the 4th place given the poor pitstop and subsequent holdup by Sutil. Don’t they use blue flags any more? Why wasn’t he penalised? As others have commented, your starts off the line are frustrating to watch. What’s the problem?

chris POSTED June 05th, 2011

j’étais à Monaco, et je dis super résultat compte tenu du problème de la monoplace et dans les stands !! tu mérites vraiment de gagner, tu es un excellent pilote… Bonne chance pour le Canada Mark, je croise les doigts ;-)

carl POSTED June 04th, 2011

I love how some people try to give mark advice on how to drive an F1 car!!! I may be a biased supporter but it does appear mark draws the short straw with red bull,one DNF from vettel will change a lot of things! Good luck mark and you better still be racing next year cause im coming to the 2012 monaco GP. Go aussie!!!

Aïcha POSTED June 04th, 2011

Coming soon Canada GP ;) Good luck!!

Ani POSTED June 04th, 2011

Mark, I was in Monaco watching every bit of the race in awe. You did a fantastic job and it looked like a great drive. Best of luck for the season – you’re a legend! Hope to see you at some more races this year.

Fuad Al Suwaidi - Dubai POSTED June 04th, 2011

as dana sayd you should believe in yourself more,so you will the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

Aïcha POSTED June 03rd, 2011

We always waited for the best thing for you

Aris POSTED June 02nd, 2011

I’m you big Fan, but I don’t like to see loosing every race against this f fetel.You must do something and win every race. I don’t understand wy you can’t bring your tires to temperture?..Comon Mark!!! Show the real racing!! We all behind YOU!!!

Aïcha POSTED June 02nd, 2011

You have finished very well in Monaco race!! Now, I wait to see your results in Canada, you’ll do better ;)

Mariella POSTED June 02nd, 2011

Ayudemos a soplar las nubes negras

Ivan POSTED June 01st, 2011

mark, please use the harder tyre for Q3, you are having major tyre ware on softer tyre with full tanks,so you will be slower by 1 to 1.5 seconds a lap but it will give you track position when the front runners pit, you are the fastest car in the middle and end of the race on softer compound,it seems that wherever you qualify you are loosing positioned at the start and this has compromised you race in all the first 6 races, since you are on the same strategy as sebastian you are losing out every time.so please start on hard tyres in Q3 for once you have nothing to lose, as you current strategy and pit stops are costing you big time.
regards from a frustrated fan

Alex March POSTED June 01st, 2011

Good drive Mark, but we know that you are disappointed because you wanted the victory. Without the problems on thursday and the poor pit stop, I am sure that you had been the winner. You are the real king of monaco and not Seb. We hope for you the same car that has Seb.
Good luck for Canada!

Steve Bell POSTED June 01st, 2011

Mark you know it in your heart “Go to Renault” then see Red bull go backwards without you, see you in Melbourne 2012.

Aïcha POSTED June 01st, 2011

Canada waits for you…

mick POSTED June 01st, 2011

good drive, Mark. Great pass on KK at the end! Hope you get out of that team and get a fair crack next year. We all know RBR are literally holding you back.

Troy POSTED June 01st, 2011

A piece of advice if I may indulge. GET THE CAR OF THE LINE!!!! You drive the car unbeleivably but you seem to get bogged down every time at the start. Every other driver seems to be quicker of the start than you. Use full KERS and hammer it. You know what to do I don’t try something different we want you to lead the first corner be brave. GEt there and i am sure you are good enough and fast enough to win

John POSTED June 01st, 2011

Best thing for webber to do is. grab all the research and designs from Red Bull and fuck off to Ferrari.

Then he can get his revenge for them sabotaging him.

Tony Callander POSTED June 01st, 2011

Enjoyed your fight back from a really bad pitstop. I am not into conspiracy theories but one has to wonder this year Excellent racing and look out CANADA

Stevie POSTED June 01st, 2011

Great drive again considering the circumstances. You are amazing Mark and your time will come (hopefully starting in Canada). Maybe work with Alonso on your starts. Just buy him a pizza or something ;)

psych budgee POSTED June 01st, 2011

Excellent watching you make your way back through the field, perhaps at times sharing in some of your frustration, all up though a very good result. Looking forward to Canada.

Ashley POSTED June 01st, 2011

That was great getting 4th i thought you were gong to come about 7th.
Do your other fans writing on here still thing the World Championsip can be won.
Also Ted Krafits said on pratice sessions for monaco Mark might join ferrari next season.

schnib POSTED May 31st, 2011

mark, whilst the pit stop was a joke and fernando had a great start, you were still losing a second a lap on alonso in the opening stint. This is the bigger concern. i think you need to let the enertia of the car flow more under the full tank, all the corrections are ripping those tyres to shreds. i was thumping my fists on the couch during that pit stop, i was so pissed, i hope RB plan to reveal their mistake whilst taking some resposiblity for the outcome. Horner is praising Seb, meanwhile not exactly acknowledging another hard earned result from another team mistake.

*this post has been edited due to the use of inappropriate language

Phil POSTED May 31st, 2011

Great Drive Mark, you arre probably the in-form driver for Sundays this year. Keep working on Qualifying, your run down to the first corner and your first runs on full tanks. From there you are the best.

Unfortunately Horner doesn’t rate you as a threat to Vettel, only the McLaren drivers and Fernando. Whats going on there, you are still a close 3rd in the Championship.

Miriam POSTED May 31st, 2011

Mark, enjoy the break!
I hope you win in Montreal! Good Luck!

Steve Bell POSTED May 31st, 2011

Mark
I agree you need to drop this rubbish Red bull team and switch to Renault,they obviously dont want you competing with Seb, see they even gave you the number 2 as pay back for your comment last year

Dataman POSTED May 31st, 2011

It appeared that vetted decided on the tyre compound while in the pit box. That cost webber a podium.

Clive POSTED May 31st, 2011

Hi Mark, great drive mate…But when are you going to get the starts right?? You need to be alot more aggessive, you wont win from back in the pack on the first corner….Come on Mark time to lay the boot in.

Aïcha POSTED May 31st, 2011

The best is yet to come!!! ;)

Steve from Sydney POSTED May 31st, 2011

Well done Mark,
You inspire all drivers here in Australia with your efforts to be better than what we are. We thankyou for this.

Even if Seb does have more support you can still enjoy the battle for second in the championship provide us and yourself plenty of excitement with your old friends at McClaren and Ferrari.

Hope to see you back in sport cars when you finally move on from F1. Really looking forward to seeing you out there again. (Bathurst 12hr in Feb could be a fun weekend for you too..)

A reminder: Its Sam Gormley’s(fastway/cousin) 21st this weekend held in London.

Peter POSTED May 31st, 2011

Canada is yours Mark. Stick it to that cocky little German.

Eva POSTED May 31st, 2011

Mark, keep doing such a good job. I am starting to be fed up with Vettel´s finger…
Enjoy the races!!

Wendy POSTED May 31st, 2011

You must get so frustrated at times! Well done on a good recovery. Surely some good luck will come your way soon. Stick with it. x

NATALIA RINCON POSTED May 31st, 2011

do not let it affect you personally redbull treatment that is giving you. You are worth more than all of them, still fighting and will not collapse, quiet, we are all with you. It is hard to miss the special treatment as they have with Seb! yes, maybe it was a radio failure, but you always hurt you …
To me you’ll always be the winner, because sincerity is the first thing, go for Canada! sorry for my english, kisses from barcelona

Dawn POSTED May 31st, 2011

Classy overtaking Mark, you can do it in Canada go for it we are all behind you x

Spinner POSTED May 31st, 2011

another gusty drive, mark, we are all behind you mate, keep pressing on and you will rewarded,all the very best for the rest of the season, and remember seb is just another car on the road, its mind over matter

Terry POSTED May 30th, 2011

Mark, we won the americas cup after being down 3 nil. Chip away, win one race and it will start to roll.

Robyn Maslen POSTED May 30th, 2011

Great recovery. When is Red Bull going to give you a car that can get off the line. Another fastest lap and gained a little mor on second in teh championship. HAng in there we are not half way yet

Chris POSTED May 30th, 2011

Your an inspiration Mark

Pete POSTED May 30th, 2011

Mark, hang in there show that Aussie grit you are famous for. The next win is just around the corner.

Steve from Airlie POSTED May 30th, 2011

Hi Mark good race for what you have to put up with it seems every race now kick ars in Canada

Richard POSTED May 30th, 2011

Mark, Having lost valuable track time & set up on Thursday due to G/Box problems, 3rd on the grid was a good recovery. Loved your pass on Kobayashi, fastest lap, 4th place & more points all in all great drive. Disappointed with how the team let you down at the first pit stop 15secs & put you out into traffic without clean air. I trust RBR are providing you with equal parts & car, because you have experienced more electrical & mechanical issues since the start of the season when compared to the other side of the garage. 64 points difference between you & Seb 325 up for grabs, you can do it.
All the best for Canada & first podium.

Steve POSTED May 30th, 2011

The Monaco lap 69 video shows Vettel, Alonso, and Button overtaking another car (Sutil?) about 10 seconds after the yellow was displayed and one or two seconds after the safety car was deployed. This is a serious safety violation – – the ‘no overtake under yellow’ rule is in place specifically to stop unsafe driving in a post-incident situation. Their actions should result in penalties for all three, which means that Webber wins his second Monaco GP.

Kevin POSTED May 30th, 2011

You are still in the hunt. You drove the wheels off your car. You are always thinking the percentages and that’s smart! Keep up the great work Mark. You always do your best with the tools you are given. Who can do more?

Viktoriya POSTED May 30th, 2011

Totally agree with John. Team should be ashamed,when the pilot from the 4-th place appear in traffic.
Excellent job!I belive in your strength, no matter that.

Petra POSTED May 30th, 2011

Hi Mark, great recovery! Keep going… Canada is the next chance to finish on the podium.

Dana (Dubai) POSTED May 30th, 2011

Hi Mark, we still believe that only you can stop Vettel, so you should believe in yourself more, I think you should fight in qualifing don’t give up because there nothing to lose, also try to strengthen your start because the problems always begin with it. finaly, I hope your car is same as Vettel car. All your races were under pressure and you always prove that you are achampion, go and snatch your win.

Tanya POSTED May 30th, 2011

Cannot even find the words. Why does all this happen to you?! Mark you don`t deserve even a small piece of what`s going on!!! Why should we hear “great recovery” and “hard day” and so on again and again??? Heartbreaking.

Let them deal with their conscience. We love you.

Ann POSTED May 30th, 2011

Great drive Mark well done.

Andrea POSTED May 30th, 2011

It was again a hard race for you but also for us to watch. Wow in situations like your first pit stop I’d like to jump in my TV to change the tyres myself. You did the best you can with all the nonsense that happend, for me very well done again champion. Hope Canada in two weeks will finally be yours, fingers crossed, I’m with you and I can’t wait see you racing again xxx ;-) !!!!!

Tony Toth POSTED May 30th, 2011

Mate, I’ve sat for less time at mcdonalds waiting for drive thru. Good luck for Canada. Hopefully some luck goes your way again

David N POSTED May 30th, 2011

Well done Mark,
It seems you have to put up with so much crap with Red Bull> Great last lap.
Can you win in Canada

Ritchie POSTED May 30th, 2011

Once again Mark is not serviced well by the team who seem to be putting everything into Seb’s race. There are 2 drivers in the team Horner not one!

Tommo POSTED May 30th, 2011

Brilliant driving and recovery Mark. It is a shame you couldnt have the same result as last year, but thats racing. Points are points and every single one counts, i am sure you know. What is it with setting fastest race lap times Mark? A good hobby, you just need to replicate them 70 odd laps in a row and you will have this season sorted. Ha ha, if only hey. Good work Mark, you will get those P1s, soon enough.

John POSTED May 30th, 2011

16 second pit stop? In addition to whats happened already this year in almost every race.

What a fucking joke.

Mate get the fuck out of that sabotaging joke of a team.

Dont believe for a second that seb can somehow gain 0.5 second a lap on you from last year.

Red bull = Clowns.

Daniel POSTED May 30th, 2011

Well done Mark! Important points during the first half of the year under difficult circumstances will add up in the end.

wassa POSTED May 30th, 2011

Its never over untill the fat lady sings although its hard to see anyone topping seb there is still a long way to go before the last race of the year.Go for it

Aïcha POSTED May 30th, 2011

Good job!! I like your last results ^.^

James POSTED May 30th, 2011

A great result Mark, from what it could have been – you should be very proud! Well done. Seb is a lucky boy to get new tyres, Alonso was looming – but a great day again for Red Bull.

matt clayton POSTED May 30th, 2011

Great Drive Mark. i think it is 4 out of 6 fastest laps during the race this season. the potential is there mate! keep grinding the wheel!

Andrew Porrelli POSTED May 30th, 2011

Did the pit crew send there grandmas to work instead?

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