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Formula 1
F1: Horner - Webber Will Have ‘Strong’ Year In 2012
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner expects big things from Mark Webber in the upcoming season...
Christian Horner (Left) confers with Mark Webber (Right) in the paddock. (Photo: Getty Images)
Written by Negative Camber for F1B
Struggling through 2011 was not how Mark Webber planned his quest to be a World Champion. Being bested by his teammate and defending World Champion Sebastian Vettel was also not how he wanted to spend the balance of the year. But that is exactly how he spent the year. The good news for Webber is that his boss, Christian Horner, has every confidence in his resurgence for 2012.
“It’s very difficult going up against a driver of Sebastian’s caliber, being matched and measured against somebody of his standard,” said Horner at the recent Autosport Show.
“Mark had a difficult start to the year but he adapted and he worked hard at it and he worked hard to understand the tires in particular. And his performances grew and grew throughout the year and it was great to see him win that final race in Brazil.
“He has gone away and trained hard through the winter and his enthusiasm has rejuvenated and I think 2012 could be a very strong year for Mark.”
Most notably, 2011 was a real struggle for Webber in qualifying and tire use. He seemed to struggle with the high-degradation tires from Pirelli and could never really capitalize on one of his best skills — qualifying. No one can support the notion that Webber isn’t blindingly quick in a single lap; what caught him out in qualifying was well-documented during 2011 but suffice to say that his starts were also a major area of weakness.
“Mark put in some great performances last year and he raced very well,” said Horner. “That pass on Fernando Alonso into Eau Rouge was unbelievable and coming from the back of the grid in China on a different strategy all the way up to third position – again another great drive. He drove some amazing races in 2011.
“He had some difficult starts but I know he has been focused on that and the team has been looking to help him with that, as well. So hopefully if those little things can be addressed, he can have a strong campaign in 2012.”
Struggling through 2011 was not how Mark Webber planned his quest to be a World Champion. Being bested by his teammate and defending World Champion Sebastian Vettel was also not how he wanted to spend the balance of the year. But that is exactly how he spent the year. The good news for Webber is that his boss, Christian Horner, has every confidence in his resurgence for 2012.
“It’s very difficult going up against a driver of Sebastian’s caliber, being matched and measured against somebody of his standard,” said Horner at the recent Autosport Show.
“Mark had a difficult start to the year but he adapted and he worked hard at it and he worked hard to understand the tires in particular. And his performances grew and grew throughout the year and it was great to see him win that final race in Brazil.
“He has gone away and trained hard through the winter and his enthusiasm has rejuvenated and I think 2012 could be a very strong year for Mark.”
Most notably, 2011 was a real struggle for Webber in qualifying and tire use. He seemed to struggle with the high-degradation tires from Pirelli and could never really capitalize on one of his best skills — qualifying. No one can support the notion that Webber isn’t blindingly quick in a single lap; what caught him out in qualifying was well-documented during 2011 but suffice to say that his starts were also a major area of weakness.
“Mark put in some great performances last year and he raced very well,” said Horner. “That pass on Fernando Alonso into Eau Rouge was unbelievable and coming from the back of the grid in China on a different strategy all the way up to third position – again another great drive. He drove some amazing races in 2011.
“He had some difficult starts but I know he has been focused on that and the team has been looking to help him with that, as well. So hopefully if those little things can be addressed, he can have a strong campaign in 2012.”
Grand Prix of Bahrain
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