Can Mark Webber Win a World Title?
Coming into the 2010 Formula 1 season, it appeared that Mark Webber was poised to be a major player in the world title chase. He had finished a career-best of fourth in the standings in 2009 after claiming his first two career race victories in Germany and Brazil. He was also part of an up-and-coming Red Bull Racing team that appeared to be ready to make a major step forward in 2010.
However, the 2010 season has been very hit or miss for Webber through the first half of the campaign. In fact, it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest roller coaster rides of a season in recent Formula 1 memory. He’s already matched last season’s win total through the first nine races with back-to-back wins in Spain and Monaco. Webber has also earned a season-best four pole positions so far this season while starting on the front row for all but two races.
Despite all of his success, Webber currently sits just fourth in the series standings, 24 points behind current leader Lewis Hamilton. He has been unable to show the consistency needed to rise to the top of the standings. As a point of comparison, he’s finished outside of the top six in four of the nine races this season while Hamilton has finished lower than sixth on just one occasion.
The European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain on June 27 is a prime example of Webber’s fortunes so far this season. He qualified second for the race for quickly fell back to ninth after a terrible start. Forced to recover quickly, Webber and the Red Bull Racing team decided to gamble and bring him in for a tire change.
The strategy gamble proved to be a disaster as Webber was forced to charge through the slower pack. On lap nine, he ran over the back of Heikki Kovalainen while attempting to pass and had a massive shunt. He walked away from the crash but finished 24th. Not scoring any points knocked him from third to fourth in the series standings while his Red Bull Racing teammate Sebastian Vettel went on to win the race.
It’s looking increasingly unlikely that Webber will be a factor in the 2010 title race. He’s 12 points back of Vettel for third place in the series standings and has to be considered to be a clear number two on the Red Bull Racing team. While Vettel has managed to steer clear of major problems this season Webber has had all kinds of problems finding the consistency needed to become a title contender.
In fact, Webber’s place on the Red Bull Racing team appeared to be in danger just a few weeks ago after an incident in the Turkish Grand Prix. Webber appeared to be en route to a third consecutive victory when he collided with Vettel, who was attempting to pass him for the lead. The contact knocked Webber back to third and opened up a major rift within the team.
Webber’s contract with Red Bull Racing was up at the end of this season and many people felt that Webber’s inconsistent performance along with his recent spat with Vettel might mean the end for him with the team. However, Webber and Red Bull Racing put an end to those rumours when he signed a one-year contract extension in June to carry him through the end of the 2011 season.
While Webber likely won’t be able to claim the world championship this season, he’ll still have to be considered a major threat in 2011. A strong second half of the season in 2010 could give him the confidence and momentum needed to carry him through to a championship season next year.
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