Mark Webber: Flexi-tests make no difference
Despite the hopes of rivals McLaren and Ferrari, Mark Webber of Red Bull has revealed that the car’s technical edge remains unscathed after a series of flexi-tests were issued at Monza. The tests were
officiated by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) after Ferrari and Red Bull were suspected of breaking regulations with flexible body-work and flooring.
Red Bull passed the tests and seemed undaunted by the new restrictions as they dominated the first two practice sessions in Singapore. Webber jested, “We’re struggling with the new rules!”
The 34-year-old, who has enjoyed a remarkable season with the technically brilliant car, then stated, “We knew nothing would change on that sense. Ferrari still look quick, so we weren’t coming here expecting
to be slower than we were in Budapest. Other people have their own ideas how they are going to improve their car, but we always try to improve our car. But we know where we are, we know where we are going and we know we have clever guys doing the right thing
at the right time.”
He added, “Our car has never failed a test ever this year. The tests keep changing – but we keep doing our best.”
As for team-mate Sebastian Vettel, who is 24 points behind championship leader Webber, today’s Singapore practice yielded outstanding results for the 23-year-old prodigy. Yet the German remained grounded
about his performance, acknowledging that the race could go either way for all competing teams.
“I am happier than everyone else,” he exclaimed. “[But] we have to see. It is Friday. It doesn’t mean a lot – all [that] matters is Saturday and Sunday. But it’s better to be on top than be behind, and
to be on top by quite a bit is a nice thing. The weather is always good for a surprise. We had a good pace. But we will see. We had no problems with the car which is the main thing so all the rest is in the stars.”
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