Istanbul, Turkey - May 27: Mark Webber of Australia and Red Bull Racing attends the drivers press conference during previews to the Turkish Formula One Grand Prix at Istanbul Park on May 27, 2010, in Istanbul, Turkey. Photo by Malcolm Griffiths/Getty Images
Red Bull is having its best season on record, dominating the track with the RB6 car. They have the fastest car on the grid and look to be in a two horse race for both World Championships with McLaren. But while they are having the time of their lives, one man is being forgotten and that is Mark Webber.
Playing second fiddle to Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber is like a puppet on a string. In the hands of his masters, he is always put on show, yet not always with the best parts.
For a man coming second in the World Drivers’ Championship and one that is moving the team ever closer to the Constructors title, he deserves more respect yet he is not given it.
McLaren recently claimed that Red Bull would always prefer Sebastian Vettel over our man, but why? Webber is the main man at the moment achieving results on the track, and for Red Bull he is their main hope.
As Mr. Reliable he has shown what he can do with a good car yet his team is unwilling to favour him at all.
Mark is the only man this season to have won four races. He trails leader Lewis Hamilton only by three points and is 28-points ahead on his teammate. He is a man on the rise after having finished fourth overall last season and with a top three finish in the bank in 2010, which step on the podium is the only question.
One wonders why Red Bull would overlook Mark. Results couldn’t be the answer, it is the fact that the German is younger at 23-years and has that killer instinct on track. When he’s in front and in the zone, there’s no chance in hell you’re going to knock him down.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said that the team would not back one driver, yet it seems like they have been right from the beginning.
At the British Grand Prix, Vettel was updated with a front wing removed from Webber’s car. Funnily enough, Mark won the race.
Throughout the season, not only physically on the track, but verbally, it is obvious the war is going on.
McLaren Formula One boss Martin Whitmarsh said the ongoing feud over favouritism could ruin Red Bull’s chances of winning the world championship, but this looks unlikely.
In 2007, favouritism in the McLaren camp for Lewis Hamilton over Spaniard Fernando Alonso cost the team the title and it could this year for Red Bull. Sebastian Vettel has been described by others as “impetuous” and “immature”, while on the track he as shown many times in 2010 he’s a reckless driver.
McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh had said he is a “crash kid” and he is right on the mark.
Our man is fed up with his teammate getting the attention and he wants change, but it isn’t looking likely. Try playing “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” by Elton John in the Red Bull pits, it’ll just get turned off once its started.
Mathematically Mark is the man in charge. On team radio this year after winning the British Grand Prix he said, “Not bad for a number two driver”, and who can blame him. He’s a colorful character and likes to serve back to his opponent.
There’s no respect at Red Bull but there should be. Red Bull need as a team to support Mark with six races to go. He is in the hot seat and looking for the chequered flag in front spot every race.
Every other team is loving the in-house fighting. Red Bull really needs to settle the tension and stop adding fuel to the fire. All I can say is give Mark some respect. If it’s not sorted now, it never will be.
According to the Zen proverb: “The obstacle is the path”. This is Red Bull’s problem. Either they can stay on track and mend their differences, or go off and go back into the pits.
Give Mark a go for without him, who knows where Red Bull would be now.
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