F1 race is just about over, says Webber

Saturday, 9 July 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Mark Webber says runaway Formula One championship leader Sebastian Vettel can still be beaten but it will take a “phenomenal effort”.

As the Australian prepares to defend his British Grand Prix crown at Silverstone this weekend, Webber has been targeted by several drivers for not pushing his Red Bull teammate hard enough.

Vettel has won all but two of the races this season and is hurtling towards back-to-back F1 titles.

He has a whopping 77-point lead over Webber and McLaren’s British driver Jenson Button.

“He can be caught,” Webber said. “But he can also go on a roll again after he is caught.

“For someone to outscore him by 80 points will be a phenomenal effort so you have got to keep boxing and hang in there. “Someone has got to get on a roll with some victories themselves.”

The Australian said it is “amazing” to be disappointed, sitting second in the drivers’ championship.

“It probably hasn’t gone completely as I would have liked but it is a fine line isn’t it?

“There is only one guy that is really rapt with his season up to now and that is Seb. “I’ve got a lot of points, but obviously everyone’s season looks average compared to Sebastian’s. Now I need to add to those solid results with victories.”

It was at this race last year that Webber quipped over the car radio as he crossed the line to win: “Not bad for a number two driver”.

The comment resulted from Red Bull’s decision to take a newer front wing from Webber’s car and fit it to Vettel’s before the race in a bid to give the young German an edge.

While the testy rivalry of last year has vanished as Vettel has secured one victory after another, Webber’s future at Red Bull is not yet settled.

He is confident of an agreement which will see him drive for the championship team again in 2012 before probably yielding to West Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who makes his F1 debut this weekend in a Hispania.

“Red Bull has been great and they are very keen to keep me, no question about it,” Webber said.

“We are talking but there is no real urgency from both sides. Timing is crucial in anything in life.

“At the moment, I am still getting some great results and I’m very, very close to getting some phenomenal results again,” he said.

Webber said he is focused on scoring a second straight win at Silverstone, which is close to his home and a second home race for him.

“It’s a very good track for us, so there’s no reason why we can’t go there and challenge for the victory, so that’s our goal,” he said.

“I would love to be able to have back-to-back victories there. The weather can always play a role, so we have to be on top of our game. There will be tough competition, but we will be strong.”