F1 driver Webber wants to press on in 2013
Formula One star Mark Webber says was “hit between the eyes” last year when he was trounced at Red Bull by his world champion team-mate Sebastian Vettel.
And he has vowed to fight back and take his share of glory this season.
The Australian veteran has declared his determination to continue in F1 in 2013 – but only if he has a competitive car.
Webber will be 37 in August next year but believes he will be able to prove this season that he deserves to hang onto his seat.
He said on Tuesday he had “no qualms at all” about pressing on, despite being overshadowed by team-mate Vettel last year.
“It’s the old thing, the processes – if you take care of those, things take care of themselves,” Webber said.
“It’s normal if you have a performance-related business, people are interested in how long, ifs, buts and whens … so everything looks good there.”
Vettel won 11 races for Red Bull in 2011, taking his second consecutive world championship, while Webber won only the season-ending round in Brazil.
After two years of success – two race wins in 2009 and four in 2010 when he led the title chase – Webber admitted it had been a shock to struggle in the young German’s wake.
“It was so nice to have that feeling again in Brazil,” he said.
“It really hits you between the eyes when you’ve had a little bit of a run without doing it.
“It was a good way to finish the year and I’m looking forward to getting some more of those knocked up consistently.”
Webber said he was determined to press for more race wins, starting at next month’s Australian grand prix.
“I scored more points (last year) than I did in 2010 but I didn’t get too many victories which was not very nice.
“I’d clearly love to do some more winning and that’s what I’m going in with a clear focus on.
“I’m working as hard as possible with the team to make sure we’re ahead of everyone else.”
Webber’s confident that as long as Red Bull remain the pace-setting outfit, he can take his share of victories.
“If we are in great shape as a team and challenging for victories I would be clearly looking forward very much to having a different season to last year.”
West Australian Daniel Ricciardo will join Webber as the second Australian on the grid for a full season this year.
