Webber & His Teammate

[mac]

In the eyes of most, Mark Webber has performed outstandingly well in the Minardi this year. So, in your eyes, do you think he will be disadvantaged (especially when it comes to 2003 contracts) by the fact that his teammate is not respected as a driver?

[Wrex]

Not at all Mac. If it was just Yoong he was in front of, maybe. But the reality is he is qualifying extremely well in front of some faster cars and on occassion give them a run for their money in the race.

I won't go on about the 2 points, they were lucky, but the team and Mark deserved to get them with all things considered. And lets face it, any of the bottom 6 or 7 teams get points it was lucky.

I was impressed to see him put the move on DeLaRosa (the 2nd best driver in F1 - still cracks me up ) and keep him behind with ease.

This year is a test session for Mark, get some 'race' experience, and show Renault (and others) his potential.

Good Luck to him.

[f1manoz]

I can already hear Renault AND Mercedes knocking on the door for the future.

'Excuse us, Mr Webber, we were wondering if you......'

The rest is up to you!

[Champ69]

Aussies are just the best. And I reckon Webber is up their in the drinking stakes as well. Did you see him on the today show the morning after Melbourne. I am sure they Stodart was off screen holding Webbers beer for him.

Champion.

[DavidStHubbins]

doesnt he manage the Schumacher bros as well as some hotels too? The lad is talented, theres no escaping it.

[Nicholas]

Impressive stuff Mark Webber!

Although given the fact that Minardi now isn't so tiny, has a budget and up-to-date engines, it makes you wonder how they managed at all last year doesn't it?

[Guy Goddard]

Everyone talks about the front end of F1 like the domination of Ferrari but Minardi are out performing Jaguar and Arrows on occasions with budgets 14 times as large.
Mark Webber is a good solid driver and can get the car home, its a shame they rely on Yongs money for the second drive as another Webber would be great for them.


Guy

[Speedworx]

Webber for Ferrari drive?

[Guy Goddard]

Originally posted by hakkiman
Webber for Ferrari drive?

Minardi with Ferrari engines sounds better!

Guy

[mac]

Everyone knows Mark's got the speed. Now, Mark is showing the maturity he lacked in F3000 last year.

Webber and Ferrari sounds great hakk!

[BD]

Originally posted by DavidStHubbins
doesnt he manage the Schumacher bros as well as some hotels too? The lad is talented, theres no escaping it.

I hope you are kidding, wrong Webber.

Webber has done a great job so far. I hope he moves on to a stronger team next year. He deserves it.

[f1manoz]

Contrary to popular opinion, if DC leaves McLaren (or is forced out) it will between Mark and Nick Heidfeld for the second McLaren seat.

Both drivers have strong links to Mercedes, and it's about time they started throwing some weight around!

[calais]

i've read that webber's split with merc wasnt exactly friendly, so i doubt he wiil be in line for the mclaren seat

[f1manoz]

It wasn't on the greatest of terms, but that was because it was just after his sportscar flips at Le Mans plus he was itching to get into single seaters again.

But Mercedes still hold Webber in high regard, but he is only a long shot at any sort of seat there. But it would be good to see!

[Morris 1100]

Originally posted by Guy Goddard


Minardi with Ferrari engines sounds better!

Guy

The last time that Minardi had Ferrari engines they got screwed because Ferrari put a clause in the contract saying that Ferrari had the right to approve any new sponsorship that Minardi found, the idea being to stop any clashes of sponsor between the 2 teams. But what happened was when Minardi landed a realy big sponsor Ferrari vetoed it and then grabbed the sponsor!

[f1manoz]

Good memory Morris. The sponsor in 1991 would have been Pioneer, who would have injected a serious amount of funds into the team... but of course Ferrari, being Ferrari.......

Minardi got their revenge, however, at Imola when they were the only Ferrari powered car in the top 6 - Martini finished 4th!

[calais]

typical ferrari!!!!
pinching sponsors from struggling teams!!!

[mac]

I read somewhere that Webber and Norbert Haug don't get on particularly well after Le Mans '98. I heard that they hadn't spoken at all from that race to about Christmas time 2001.

He would be good for McLaren. Unfortunately I can't see it happening. Where Mark goes could come down to what Renault say.

[wooly]

McLaren? Nah... and I think Renault would be out of the picture, what with JV, Trulli, Button and Alonso all in line for the seat. Jaguar could be a possibility if Eddie leaves, and BAR could also be a possibility. But as Hakki said, how good would it be if he was in a Ferrari? I doubt it though... Shuey would be too worried

[calais]

on present form, i would not leave minardi to go to jaguar!!!!!!!

[Tristan]

Honestly, I can't see Webber going anywhere for at least another year.

He ISN'T Alonso. Alonso is a serious peice of real estate (if you can call a bum on your seat that!!). Webber isn't worth as much. Yet.

[cos]

Originally posted by mac
I read somewhere that Webber and Norbert Haug don't get on particularly well after Le Mans '98. I heard that they hadn't spoken at all from that race to about Christmas time 2001.

He would be good for McLaren. Unfortunately I can't see it happening. Where Mark goes could come down to what Renault say.

I'm not surprised! You don't expect your car to suddenly give an aerobatics display in the middle of a race!

[Rick]

I'm sure Dr. Austin won't mind me pinching the following from one of his threads -

"When webber crashed the second time, he did so in the race morning warm up. Once he was cleared to race by the medical staff, he went directly to the Mercedes garage. the crew were still trying to thrash frantically and get the car ready for the race. The entire place was engulfed in sheer chaos. Mercedes had pulled out in 1988, a race the surely would have won, over tire conserns. It is still a decision they are loathe to even talk about. They would love to do it over, no doubt.

Now, with all the pride and money on the line, they had to stand and fight. There could be no pulling out. All three cars would make the show.

webber walks in visably shaken and waves off several press people. He walks over to one of the benches and leans on it, obviously wanting to be left alone. My friend who was there strolled up and leaned on the bench next to webber, gives him a big smile and asks him "Hey, Bud, how the hell are you gonna drive that car after the ride you just had?'

Now, remember that they are surrounded by media and mercedes brass. Norbert Haugg is only two feet away. The garage is the scene of intense interest from the entire racing world. There are cameras and microphones everywhere.

Webber doesn't even take time to think about what he has just been asked. With no consern that everyone will hear him, he loudly proclaims; "You aren't going to see ME get in THAT ****ing car, mate. No ****ing way!"

So the third Mercedes, thankfully did not make the race. Mercedes said it was over safety conserns, that they believed the flying problem was confined to the #4 car of webber. But the truth is they didn't have three drivers for it. And Webber never again drove for Mercedes. Not that he cares or anything...."

I'd be surprised if Mark drives for Mercedes!

[mac]

Originally posted by Tristan
He ISN'T Alonso. Alonso is a serious peice of real estate (if you can call a bum on your seat that!!). Webber isn't worth as much. Yet.

I might be a bit biased, but I reckon Webber is every bit as good as Alonso, but more mature. He may even be better. It is just that Mark doesn't have a fancy sounding European or South American name, or isn't British.

As for the Mercedes thing, I think what Mark had the ****s with the most, was that after Mark went flying twice, Mercedes implied that the accidents were somehow his fault.

[Mr V]

if i remember rightly, didn't mercades ring adrian newey, who was in canada for the grand prix at 3 o'clock in the morning (canadian time) and ask his advice on the aerodynamics of the car and why it kept flying and should they pull out of the event?

adrians answer was never said publicly, but from what i read/saw on tv, he basically said that le man's cars aerodynamics weren't his thing!