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Mark chalks up seventh podium of the year
POSTED ON August 29th, 2010Mark added another 18 points to his championship tally at Spa-Francorchamps today when he finished second in the Belgian Grand Prix. His race was anything but straightforward, however. He started from his fifth pole position of the year, but a technical glitch at the start resulted in him dropping to seventh by the exit of Turn 1.
“The car bogged down as I left on the formation lap,” says Mark, “so I made some changes to the settings in the hope that I’d make a better start when it mattered. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case; it was even worse! The car bogged down again and cars streamed past me.”
Mark didn’t dwell on his misfortune. Almost immediately, he passed Adrian Sutil and he then executed a brilliant move around the outside of Felipe Massa at Rivage to take fifth. Further progress was halted by the deployment of the Safety Car at the end of the opening lap, due to an accident involving Fernando Alonso and Rubens Barrichello.
“After the start the car felt fine,” says Mark, “which was a bit of a relief because we’d only done a handful of dry laps all weekend. I enjoyed my battles with Adrian and Felipe and it was a bit frustrating to be held up, first by the Safety Car and then by Jenson Button once we were back racing. Jenson’s slow pace allowed Lewis Hamilton to pull away at the front.”
The status quo was altered on lap 17 when Button and Sebastian Vettel collided at the Bus Stop chicane. This promoted Mark to third behind Robert Kubica and he then set about trying to jump ahead of the Polish driver at the pitstops.
“The guys did a fantastic job to turn me around in 3.6s,” says Mark, “but it wasn’t quite enough to emerge ahead of Robert, who also had a good stop. I stayed on his gearbox and waited for another opportunity.”
That chance came on lap 35, when rain forced all of the cars to pit for either intermediate or wet tyres. The pitlane was very slippery and Kubica overshot his pitbox, which gave Mark the chance to breeze ahead of his rival. It was then a case of stroking his RB6 home in the difficult conditions.
“The track conditions were pretty tricky at the end of the race,” says Mark. “We put on intermediates and at one point it looked as though wets might be needed, but we made it to the end of the race fine. Second was a great result, given where I ended the opening lap.”
Mark crossed the line 1.5s behind race winner Hamilton and the pair are now separated by just three points at the top of the drivers table. With Vettel, Button and Fernando Alonso failing to score in Belgium, the landscape of the 2010 world championship was changed dramatically at the picturesque Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
“I have 28 points more than Seb,” says Mark, “with Jenson and Fernando further behind. The picture looks different to how it did 24 hours ago, but there are still six races/150 points available, so I’m not getting too excited. Roll on Monza.”
// ends
Comments
Phill J
POSTED August 30th, 2010
Great level headed drive and points at an unexpected circuit
andre c stoops
POSTED August 30th, 2010
Mark,
You are getting better by the minute…I should say the race. You are now in the level of Hamilton, Alonso, Schummacker, for me, one notch over Button.
You will be workd champion this year, and maybe next year as well….why not go for a second title..
Congratulations
Mark Warner
POSTED August 30th, 2010
Well done mate !!!
The only problem seems to be that the ‘comments’ don’t end up on the web page – so I don’t know if you are getting any of our goodwill ?
Inna
POSTED August 30th, 2010
Don’t get disheartened by being the 2nd. Sometimes one needs to step back a little to make a leap forward. There will still be plenty of champagne to spray and many more podiums to climb!
Locky
POSTED August 30th, 2010
great drive Mark worth staying up for
Anthony
POSTED August 30th, 2010
I watch every qualifying session and race, im sure like thousands of Aussie supporters of Mark. Go Mark, you can do it…
Corbs
POSTED August 30th, 2010
Congrats Webbo, another sensational drive!! [Site Manager Edit] Well done, you’re doing Australia very proud! Cheers
stuart
POSTED August 30th, 2010
Well done Mark after a tough start. It puts you right on the money for the run to the end. Go Webber!
truest fan
POSTED August 30th, 2010
well done Mark, your ongoing maturity did very well for you in Spa. Such an exciting race. Im curios for Monza, suspect damage limitation but perhaps a podium is possible. I reckon a calm head will hold you in good stead for the remainder, well done mate, your giving all those aussie F1 fans out there a great deal of excitment and pride at the moment.
Lloyd Bromfield
POSTED August 30th, 2010
Well done again Mark … (not so) slow and steady will win the Trophy! trust you can fix that ‘technical glitch’ on the clutch … gave me heart failure 
Can’t wait for Monza now
Wendy
POSTED August 30th, 2010
Belated Happy Birthday Mark! Just been catching up with the race weekend on i-player as missed it all due to work commitments. Congratulations on getting pole position on Saturday. Sorry you weren’t able to turn it into a race win but well done on achieving second place after your sticky start! Best wishes for good fortune at Monza.
Kirsty
POSTED August 30th, 2010
Well done to finish on the podium after a difficult start. What a race! Superb drive. I was secretly hoping for a few other to go off, but didn’t quite expect it to happen the way it did. Nice one to keep your head & stay cool whilst others around you are losing theirs. It’s all still to play for – best of luck for Monza.
Maria Szul
POSTED August 30th, 2010
Welcome in Warsaw Mark!
scott martin
POSTED August 31st, 2010
Phew! Mate you had us on the egde of our sets back her in Oz congrates on 2nd and i must say it was nice to see seb score 0 points Monza next then Singapore,We’ll be there and hopefully see you win.
Drew
POSTED September 01st, 2010
Way to go Mark – superb race! I’m cheering you on from Canada and wish you all the best for Monza.
Karenne
POSTED September 01st, 2010
Great race after a difficult start Mark. Fantastic to see you holding your own. Almost a perfect day for you, especially considering not many expected you to score so well. Looking forward to seeing you in Perth in November. Will be there with bells on lol. Good luck at Monza, keep showing that little punk who is your teammate how its done.
Eddie Hewer
POSTED September 01st, 2010
Top drive Mark.
You have finished in front of Hamilton before and you must do it again from here on out. Go for the win at Monza – it is possible.
3 Amigos
POSTED September 01st, 2010
Mark! I heard you are on track next tuesday raising money 4 a driver who was injured. Is anyone sweet like you!!!! No! Everyone now days selfish, Crazy about money and dt care who they hurt. But You are so different!!! You always there for your friends and always keep your Promises!!! What a great person you are!!! Tears in my eyes now but, no words!!!
Dragan
POSTED September 01st, 2010
You can do it Mark !
Stuart
POSTED September 01st, 2010
Brilliant result in the wet and after the clitch at the start, top drive.
Karenne
POSTED September 02nd, 2010
Congrats on the second place Mark. Great race after a bad start. The Drivers Championship is so going to be yours this year Can’t wait till you bring the Red Bull car to Perth in November. Already booked my tickets to see you. Good luck at Monza!!!!
Monica
POSTED September 02nd, 2010
Cangratulations Mark and see you in Warsaw!
Maria S.
POSTED September 05th, 2010
Congratulations Mark,you surely deserve this year’s championship!!! You kept a cool head in a difficult circumstance,while Sebastian is losing his head completely!!!
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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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Bad start, good race and best finish. Cold mind when was needed. 18 points in your pocket and 3 competitors without points. Summarizing nearly a perfect day!!