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Australian Mark Webber has no intention of taking a cautious approach to next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix as he focuses on gathering more points in his bid to win the world title.
The 34-year-old Red Bull ace is 11 points clear of two-times champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Ferrari and 20 ahead of Briton Lewis Hamilton of McLaren.
He could ease off slightly and calculate the percentages in an effort to minimise his risk as he attempts to become the third Australian to take the title after Jack Brabham and Alan Jones.
But that is not his preferred route to glory. So, while taking care not to wreck his own hopes, he is aiming to race at the front and squeeze maximum performance out of his Red Bull car.
“It’s nice that I have a little buffer at the top of the points right now and I am glad of that, but we still have to go out and give it all we’ve got,” Webber said.
“I think we are going to be very competitive.
“So, we have to go to Suzuka and get the absolute maximum out of what we have – and Suzuka is a track that, like all the drivers, I really love so I am looking forward to it.
“I am sure we are going to be right there and giving it a go.”
Webber admitted, however, that on current form it is the resurgent Ferrari team of Spaniard Fernando Alonso who have gained the momentum after winning twice in succession and three times in the last five races.
“Yes, they have had two wins on the bounce and they are looking good, but we did well at Suzuka last year and the points situation is pretty open for everyone. Anything can still happen,” he added.
Webber clocked the fastest lap of the race last year as his young partner Vettel snatched pole position and turned that into victory – a feat that the senior man in the Red Bull team would dearly love to enjoy this time around.
Vettel remains a factor in the title race and a threat to Webber’s dream of glory and, after winning last year, could upset the championship standings again before the final three races in Korea, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.
“I just want to make sure we do well, that we get the best out of ourselves as a team and then we will see,” said Vettel. “Ferrari has made a step forward in the last couple of races, so they will be strong – and don’t forget McLaren.
“There are still a lot of drivers fighting for the title and they are very close to each other. It’s tight and a lot of things can still happen.”
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