Red Bull vows to dominate Japanese Grand Prix
Championship leader Mark Webber is feeling the searing heat of the 2010 Formula 1 season, with four races left to claim what could be his first F1 championship title. The 34-year-old is followed closely
by rivals Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, as well as teammate Sebastian Vettel.
As the calendar draws to a thrilling close, the Australian is seeking crucial points at the next Grand Prix at Suzuka, and believes that the technical harmony between car and track, along with level-headed
passion, will see Red Bull to victory.
“I’m optimistic we can do well in Japan, and the team did well there last year,” expressed Webber, who also acknowledged that the team would have to break through Ferrari’s current streak of successful
races. “The momentum is currently with Ferrari going into the race, as they have had two victories on the bounce, but the points situation is still very open.”
The Australian, who tops the table with 202 points, is hotly pursued by Alonso who sits at 191 points – an interval which, while helpful, is also too small for comfort.
“It’s nice that I have a little buffer,” Webber admitted, “It’s not very big, but it’s something I would rather have than not. Suzuka is a track that all the drivers love and I’m looking forward to it.
I think we will be very competitive; we need to go there and get the maximum out of what we have.”
As for Sebastian Vettel, the 23-year-old prodigy is hoping to redeem his drastic performance record this season, being unable to do justice to his seven pole positions by failing to earn more than two
wins. Virtually counted out of the title race for his accident-prone nature – attracting criticism from other drivers – as well as the lack of wins, the tables have turned on the youngster who started out as the favourite this season. But Vettel is optimistic
that he will perform proficiently in Japan, and push the team to an even greater level.
“Suzuka should suit our car,” he reflected, “But we still have to go there and prove it. I think we have a very competitive car this year on all circuits, so we can be confident. Last year was very good
and I think we should get a good result again."
“Ferrari has made a step forward in the last couple of races, so they will be strong and don’t forget McLaren. There are still a lot of drivers fighting for the title and they are very close to each other,
it’s tight and a lot of things can still happen. We need to make sure we get the best out of ourselves and then we will see.”
The Japanese Grand Prix roars onto the asphalt on October 8.
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