Webber nurses car home to sixth place

POSTED ON July 26th, 2010

Mark had a frustrating race weekend in Germany, which culminated in sixth place. For the first time since the season-opener in Bahrain, he qualified off the front row of the grid and an oil consumption problem hampered his progress in the race.

“When the team told me about the oil problem just after half distance,” says Mark, “my only concern was getting to the end of the race. I immediately began to nurse the car by changing my downshift patterns and not using the F-duct, and that meant I could no longer challenge Jenson [Button] ahead of me.

“It was a disappointing end to a frustrating weekend, but when you think I could easily have retired from this race, it was good just to see the finish line and collect another six points.”

Until half distance in the 67-lap race, Mark’s pace had been strong. He made a good start from fourth, which was on the dirty side of the grid, and he battled hard with Lewis Hamilton during the early laps.

“I got away okay and managed to hold my position,” says Mark. “But I was more worried about the run to Turn 6 on the opening lap than I was the first corner because the McLarens had a considerable straight-line speed advantage.”

Mark’s concerns were well placed because Hamilton, who’d started two places behind him on the grid, swept past him on the long run to the hairpin.

“I had a good scrap with Lewis during the early laps,” he says. “He didn’t look too comfortable on the option tyre, but I couldn’t find a way through because he was so fast in a straight line. I tried to get the jump on him at the pitstops, thinking he’d stop with me on lap 13. The guys did a fantastic pitstop for me, but the combination of Lewis staying out a lap longer and me coming out in traffic was enough to get him ahead of me.”

Jenson Button in the other McLaren stayed out until lap 22 before making his stop, which was enough to get him ahead of Mark as well. By the time the leaders had all made their pitstops, Mark was in sixth place and that’s where he remained until the end.

“I wasn’t in the fight today,” says Mark, “but I’ll be back. It’s very competitive at the front, which is how it should be in Formula One. Ferrari had the quickest car at Hockenheim; they demonstrated that by coming home first and second. They’re very much back in the hunt for the world title, which should make things pretty interesting going forward.

“But the RB6 was quick too and I haven’t got to wait long to set the record straight because we’re racing at the Hungaroring this weekend. I finished third there last year and I’m looking forward to getting back out there.”

// ends

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dan Inglis POSTED July 31st, 2010

Keep taking it to them Mark,watch out for Lewis,hes a great driver but hes not an Aussie!! Let the Blue Healer off the leash.

Robert "alias DILLIGAF"(Brisbane) POSTED July 30th, 2010

his says it all MARK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZZnhBQXRaI

Lili POSTED July 30th, 2010

Positive energy for you …
Both in racing as in life itself, there will always be competition in which winning and losing others, but more importantly will give the best of us, living full time and be in communion with the universe, thus generating energy away positive and negative thoughts can not concentrate and move on, just doing the best we are rewarded, you’re a good rider and a good person, life will reward your dedication … I wish you the best in the world, you deserve it .

Ian POSTED July 28th, 2010

Still a good result, just keep plugging away and hopefully with the right strategies and good car on the day more wins will come. I never miss a race and have all your wins recorded for ever.

Maria POSTED July 28th, 2010

During the Hockenheim Gp I was afraid you were receiving team orders too, I didn’t understand there was a real technical problem. Italian TV and media were only talking about Ferrari, and I was afraid the team was try to stop you as in Turkey!

dude POSTED July 28th, 2010

give ‘em hell in Hungary!

David Woodworth POSTED July 28th, 2010

Mark you deserve to win regardless of a voice in Red Bull who favours Vettel. If Vettel hadnt run into you , you’d still be in the major points league.

stuart POSTED July 27th, 2010

It seems it was you turn to have mech gremlins this week (where are the conspiracy theorists?). Also agreed on the pit strategy – crap! but it does show the importance of grid/race position – the further forward the more benefits. Good luck for Hungary, enjoy the goulash.

Corbs POSTED July 27th, 2010

Well done on bringing the sick car home Webbo – next race you’ll be back at the top I’m sure!

Adam POSTED July 27th, 2010

Thanks mate for all that you give to your craft. Always exciting to see an aussie givin to the world the only way we know how. Hard and Fair. Whatever comes of this year everyone should be proud to have you fly our flag. Best of luck for Hungary, Mate.

Frank Sculli POSTED July 27th, 2010

Mark, i agree with truest fan. Do you as the driver have a say if and when you can come into the pits ? Was there a reason why they would not hold off to get you into clear air when released. It seems Button does this often and gennerally gains positions as a result.

Eva POSTED July 26th, 2010

Totally agree with comment#1 about pit stop strategy, but anyway you could get some valuable points even with the oil problem… very important for the Championship.
Mark, you know and we know you can reach it.
Best luck for next weekend!

3 Amigos POSTED July 26th, 2010

Mark! Some times things wont go the way we wanted it to go! My thoughts are with you! You tried really hard! Pls Take each race as it comes! You not the person who give up anything easily! Go for it! Next race is yours! Wish you all the best of luck!!!

Karenne POSTED July 26th, 2010

Maybe not the win we were hoping for, but still some excellent driving under the circumstances. I have to agree with the first comment on the pit stop. After missing the jump for clean air at the pit stop you should prob have stayed out for as long as possible. Of course in the long run the oil problem might have still caused some issues, but I reckon you would have been further up the field to defend it in any case. Anyhow thats my armchair opinion lol. You and your team are the ones who know what you are doing. Good luck with the race in Hungary next week, still in the hunt for the drivers championship. We are cheering you on!!!

Mariella POSTED July 26th, 2010

OK there are good days and bad days Sunday was in the middle, but you score and this is very important.Every day de Championship will be more and more tigth. So next weekend the car should behave at 100%, and you must give your best effort. My best for you.

tony callander POSTED July 26th, 2010

Mark, a good drive under difficult circumstances and your quick laps at the end were excellent Better luck in Hungary next week

truest fan POSTED July 26th, 2010

hi mark, considering you could have retired 6th place is certainly better than a DNF. but that pit stop strategy was always going to bring you out in slow traffic. there was no sense in that. I noticed Vettels pit was based purely on coming out in clean air. Staying out with button would have been the way to go. You could have pulled away and leap frogged hamilton. (disregarding the oil problem of course). anyway mate, as always, considering your challenges you did well. looking forward to budapest. Would love to see you make those points on Button.

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Webber nurses car home to sixth place

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