Webber's last chance for victory

Glad I got to see him get pole at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last week, pity about the race result but to be honest I was expecting his car to fall to pieces. Glad he finished the race, regardless of the KERS problems he had. I think it will be a bit tough to win a last race on pure pace, because of how he works with the Pirelli's, if he gets his tenth win it will be because Vettel DNF's or gifts him a win like supposedly happened in Brasil 2011. I've been following Mark's career since he was in F3000 battling Justin Wilson, so it will be sad when he leaves F1 but I will still follow him in WEC, and his F1 spot being filled by the speedy aussie Ricciardo, it's an easy choice for who to support in F1 next year.

Just a couple of things: “Mark Webber has two chances left to win a final race.” Well, if you want to be literal he has only one chance to win a final race. He has two chances to win his final race, but there’s only one final race in 2013 – the last one. “There was a time Mark Webber looked like he was never going to get there. In 2006 when whilst driving for Williams, he finished just 7 of 18 races. That is less than a 40% finishing record.” Indeed, it looked glum. But he came very close in Monaco that year before an engine failure ended his race while he was battling for the race lead. At Fuji the following year he had another chance to take victory before Sebastian Vettel put a premature end to his day. I don’t think it ever looked as if Webber would “never going to get there”, it just seemed very, very unlikely at times. “How times and engineering have changed. Now he is driving for the top team and has a change to bow out with a victory.” A whole lot hasn’t changed. Williams is still average, the difference is he moved to a team that (at last) started constructing quick, reliable cars. “They have won four constructors titles in a row. He has a good record in end of season races.” If by “good record” you mean 2010, then you’re correct. Mark’s purple patch is almost always in the area within the end of the 1/3 of the season. “He has won at Brazil before, in 2011, which was his only victory for the season.” He also won in 2009, don’t forget. The 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix is probably not a race Webber fans look to as one of his best victories – the dubious gearbox issue for Vettel has all the hallmarks of an organized result. “This was after another strong year from his team mate, Sebastian Vettel.” I don’t think “strong year” adequately describes 2011. “Webber could have been the Formula 1 world champion. There was only one small problem: Vettel.” And the fact that he hasn’t finished second in the championship before. “Webber had the best car in the world for over four seasons, but has not yet been able to capitalise, due to the dominance of Sebastian Vettel.” See the last response. “Mark Webber has had a great career to date. 215 races, 40 podiums, nine wins and over 1000 career points.” Impressive results, but I don’t know if “great” is the right word. Impressive, perhaps. “Despite not winning a championship, he has been relatively successful.” I don’t know in what world winning nine World Championship races and being the 33rd most successful Grand Prix driver of all time, in terms of race wins, is “relatively successful”. He’s been successful, but he hasn’t won a title. “One thing Webber has over the other drivers is that he is well loved by most fans.” Is he? Is he really? He’s loved by his fans, but there are many, many detractors out there. “Vettel was criticised for not obeying team orders earlier on in the season. The fans rallied behind Webber and booed Vettel. Maybe he is being booed because he keeps winning?” I don’t know. Is it? Or is it because of the Multi-21 incident? Why can’t you clarify this? “His constant dominance is starting to annoy fans and I believe the fans of Formula 1 just want something different.” It’d be nice to have a little more competition, but don’t you remember how close 2012 was? Don’t you remember how close 2010 was? Don’t you remember how close 2008 was? Don’t you remember how close 2007 was? Don’t you remember how close 2006 was? The list goes on. Formula One fans have very short memories. If Vettel is usurped as dominance king and then another driver starts winning every race, that person will then start to become hated. It’s just the way it goes unfortunately. “Webber’s best shot at the title came in 2010. But Vitaly Petrov’s eagerness to stick around in F1 and block Webber and Alonso handed Sebastian his first title.” Well, that and the fact that he binned it in Korea – the race that would have won him the World Championship had he kept it on the black stuff. Even if Petrov had lost out to Alonso and Webber, Mark still wouldn’t be champion – Fernando would’ve taken it. “With Webber ending his career in Brazil later this year, another Australian Daniel Ricciardo is now the next hope for Australia. It has been a while since Australia had a genuinely talented young driver in a great car.” Have we ever? What do you consider young? Brabham and Jones already had a few years under their belts before they got into quick cars and Mark debuted at an older age than much of his peers. I dare say this is the first time we’ve ever seen a young Australian driver in machinery that is expected to contend for the title. “Ricciardo is now a real chance at winning a title in the next few seasons. Ricciardo will have a year to learn from Vettel, then he will be expected to challenge for the title.” On paper, yes, but he’s got that German in the garage next door he’ll need to deal with. I think Red Bull will be disappointed if Ricciardo isn’t starting to put in some challenging performances as the year draws to a close. I expect Dan would be disappointed with himself if he wasn’t managing that by that point in the year. “If Vettel goes to Ferrari in 2015 or 2016, giving Ricciardo a chance to bring home an Australian world championship.” That shouldn’t be what you’re after. You shouldn’t want a driver to win a title just because the established best goes off to another team. Ricciardo should be expected to beat Vettel fair and square. A championship victory like you’ve suggested would be pretty disappointing, I must point out. “He remains one of the great Australian sportsmen.” The greatest ambassador for sport in Australia, I believe.

Webber had a great chance in 2010 but blew it all on his lonesome running off the track in Korea. He is very much a number 2 driver because he is a woeful starter regularly despite having the speed to put his car on pole. He should be finishing second in the Drivers Championship but hasn't been. Always plenty of excuses. The booing started in Italy and was most likely due to Vettels domination. Webber should never expect to get gifted wins and the passing move Vettel put on him in Malaysia was a ripper. I'm expecting Ricciardo to be quick from day one as the package will be new to both drivers and he is there because he is quick.

Thanks mark. U will b missed. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.