- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Mark Webber says it’s far too early to suggest he’s fighting out the Formula One title with his Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel.
The Australian will be seeking third straight race victory at Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul, where Vettel and Ferrari look to be the overall leader’s likely challengers.
Webber won from pole position in both Barcelona and Monaco to lead Vettel on wins, with the Red Bull teammates even with 78 points from six races.
“It’s important to stay focused and get back to business,” Webber said. “There’s a lot more to do and we need to keep going.”
No Australian has been champion since Alan Jones in 1980, but Webber’s displays in the past two races have him looking a real title chance alongside Vettel, McLaren pair Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, and Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso.
“Two races ago everyone was saying someone else. In two races’ time they might be saying someone else again,” said Webber.
“There is no one who knows who is going to be in the hunt with a few races to go.
“There’s lots of things to roll into this situation yet. It’s a good position to be in. We have a good tally at the moment but I don’t think it’s between two guys – too early.”
Red Bull will look to make it seven out of seven races started from pole position in Saturday’s qualifying. But Webber is trying not to look beyond Friday’s practices for now.
“Let’s go to Turkey, do that and just keep chipping away,” Webber said. “Things can change very quickly in this game. I’ve been round the block long enough to know that as well, so feet on the ground.”
Vettel couldn’t match Webber’s pace in Monaco due to a damaged chassis, which has been changed for Istanbul.
Ferrari travels to the “Otodrom” ready to race for the 800th time in Formula One.
“That will be a further motivating factor to get a good result and try and make it to the podium, hopefully ahead of the Red Bulls,” said Alonso, who has 75 points. “I have no reason not to be confident.”
The two-time champion from Spain worked through the field from last to finish sixth at Monaco, and Ferrari can feel confident of a good result as teammate Felipe Massa is a three-time winner at the Istanbul Park circuit. Massa is fifth in the championship with 61 points.
Defending F1 champion Button, who has 70 points, is keen to rebound from two straight disappointing performances – at Monaco he was out early after a mechanic’s error caused his radiator to overheat just after the start.
“At a place like Istanbul Park, our car will be back in its element,” said teammate Hamilton, who shares 59 points with Robert Kubica. “It loves smooth, fast circuits, where the aerodynamics can really work over the car through the long, fast corners. It should feel fantastic to drive.”
Kubica also expected his Renault’s upgrades to help maintain the French team’s surprise start, with the Polish driver coming off a third-place finish at the iconic street circuit race.
Looking for great odds on racing and sport? Get into the action with PlayUp today. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.