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The last Australian to win a Formula One world championship – Alan Jones – does not expect compatriot Mark Webber to challenge for the 2009 title despite his breakthrough victory in Germany.
But Jones believes Webber’s milestone has the 32-year-old Red Bull driver on track to become the next Aussie to claim the world title in 2010.
Before Webber finally tasted grand prix success at his 130th attempt at motorsport’s famed Nurburgring circuit, Jones had been the last Australian to win a race, let alone a title – way back in 1981.
“It’s a fabulous result and a well deserved one,” Jones said at the Gold Coast on Monday.
“Mark’s been putting in the hard yards, putting up with a lot of disappointment and bad luck and it’s fantastic to see him put one together.
“I would have thought someone (from Australia) would have done it well before now, and it’s disappointing that they haven’t.
“I am sure it isn’t going to be the last (by Webber), and it will give him a big confidence boost for the rest of the year.”
But Jones said challenging for the 2009 world title “isn’t probable” for Webber.
Webber is now third in the title race with 45.5 points behind Brawn driver Jenson Button on 68 and Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel on 47.
Eight races remain with ten points for a win.
“While a championship this year isn’t probable, as Jenson Button would have to make some pretty big mistakes and Webber string together quite a few wins for it to happen at this point, it will certainly set him up well for next year,” Jones said.
“Brawn came out of the gates flying and because of that Button has a comfortable buffer but I can’t see why Webber can’t win a few more because the car is going really well at the moment.”
And he believed the result would not only benefit Webber.
“I hope it will encourage more young racers in Australia to give it a go as they can see that Mark Webber has been able to do it,” he said.
“And I would hope that Mark’s achievement would encourage more of corporate Australia to get behind the young racers trying to make it.”
Jones said he would try and ring Webber to congratulate him personally.
MARK WEBBER
Born: Queanbeyan, NSW.
Age: 32
Team: Red Bull Racing
Races: 130
First race: 2002 Australian Grand Prix (fifth)
Teams: Minardi, Jaguar, Williams, Red Bull
Wins: 1 (2009 German GP)
Podiums: 7 (2nd 2009 China, Turkey, Great Britain; 3rd 2005 Monaco, 2007 European, 2009 Spain)
Early career:
1994-95 Australian Formula Ford
1996 European Formula Ford, British Formula Ford
1997 British Formula Three
1998-99 FIA GT Championship
2000-01 International Formula 3000
2002-2009 Formula One.
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