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Webber confident ahead of European race

Roar Guru
24th June, 2010
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Australian Mark Webber’s confidence is high ahead of this weekend’s European Grand Prix in Spain, despite losing the lead in the Formula One Championship.

Webber slipped to third in the series after Lewis Hamilton cruised to victory in the Canadian round to tighten the race for the crown.

The Red Bull racer said he expected a more competitive climate midway through the year and is preparing to do battle with McLaren and Ferrari for the remainder of the year.

“We were on the pace throughout (in Canada) even if we did end up behind Ferrari and McLaren at the end,” Webber said.

“In Valencia we have a good chance but I do not think it will be an easy win.”

The Australian said this season’s title fight was panning out as expected, not like 2009 when Jenson Button and Brawn skipped away with six straight victories.

“Last year, Jenson won many races at the beginning, but that is not what usually happens,” Webber told Germany’s Auto Moto und Sport.

“It is more often the case that until mid-season there are three or five drivers all together.

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“With about 70 per cent of the championship gone there will only be three and with a few races it will becomes a duel.

“Perhaps the champion will even be known before the last race.”

McLaren’s Jenson Button said he was surprised that Red Bull were not in a better position in the standings after dominating the early part of the season.

“I think it is a surprise that Red Bull are not at the front,” Button said.

“They have been so quick at every race but we have done a very good job, especially the last two races.

“We have been quick but we have also done a better job over the whole weekend.”

Red Bull – either Webber or teammate Sebastian Vettel – had started from pole position in every grand prix until McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton broke their run in Montreal.

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However, despite their qualifying pace, they have come away with only three from a possible eight wins.

Webber and Vettel suffered from gearbox problems in Canada but Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says there is no fundamental problem.

“They were both different problems. We do not have a fundamental problem with the car,” Horner told Auto Bild.

Webber was forced from second to seventh place on the grid in Canada due to a late gearbox change while Vettel also had problems but was able to manage a fourth place finish ahead of Webber.

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