Webber delighted to make up for mate Ponting’s failure
GERMAN Grand Prix winner Mark Webber admits he was delighted to succeed where close friend Ricky Ponting failed, and give Australia something to cheer.
Webber claimed his maiden race victory after more than eight years in Formula One at the Nurburgring on Sunday, as he and Sebastian Vettel recorded another Red Bull one-two.
Aussie cricket captain Ponting, meanwhile, was watching England’s tail-enders frustrate the tourists and scrape a miraculous draw in the first Ashes Test in Cardiff. The pair were due to meet up last night and Webber at least was delighted to give Australians a sporting success to be proud of.
“It’s a real message to the Australian people. I’ve always tried to represent my country as best as I can. It was a great day for me and Australia,” said Webber, who became his country’s first grand prix winner for 28 years. “It was very, very important for me because not many Australian drivers have reached Formula One, and there are even fewer who have been successful.”
Webber’s triumph lifted him to third in the drivers’ championship, as Red Bull continue to eclipse Brawn GP as the fastest team on the grid.
And the 32-year-old is confident he and Vettel can rein in runaway leader Jenson Button.
“It is still up for grabs, no question about it,” added Webber. “Brawn are leading because they deserve to be, but we’re not giving up. Sebastian and I are on top of our game and pushing as best we can to be as consistent as possible at all venues.
“We love fighting against teams like Ferrari and McLaren, and this is what Formula One is all about. For Red Bull to take the fight to these big guys is a real credit to us. They will be back for sure, but it is a special time for our team.”