Why Webber can still beat Vettel at Red Bull
The shape of things to come is the perfect way to describe Mark Webber's victory in Monaco. The Australian bounced back after his troublesome season last year and proved he is still perfectly capable of beating his team mate in 2012.
Red Bull insists it is in no rush to sort out a fresh contract with Mark Webber for 2013, despite his Monaco Grand Prix victory coming amid speculation that he is a key target for Ferrari. It would be a foolish mistake on the team's side to let the Australian go.
Webber gave a glimpse of his returning 2010 form this weekend as he calmly controlled the race in Monaco, keeping the car in front from pole to win, while Vettel made good use of his strategy to climb up the order. However, Vettel had been significantly slower than his team mate all weekend long, blaming either the car's balance or tyres.
It's no secret that Red Bull are not enjoying their previous dominant form and it might not be just down to the car's performance. Vettel seems to be having some difficulties in understanding this year's tyres, while Webber appears to be in a much more comfortable position and is a little more consistent than Vettel, having finished 4th in all of the first four races. It's a fairly reasonable restart considering lat year's performance.
But this was just an appetizer. Although his starts haven't been perfect so far this season, Webber showed no signs of rustiness this Sunday. Once he got the start right, it was all about handling the pressure of the five drivers behind him and taking the car home. Which he both managed perfectly.
His victory in Monaco should be a major boost of confidence. He knows he has a better understanding of the Pirellis than Vettel. He knows Vettel is struggling with the balance of his car in some places and he now knows that in his hands, the RB8 is indeed capable of winning races. Consistency is far more relevant this year and regular top five finishes are more valuable than two wins and three out-of-the-points finishes. In a grid so tight, every little mistake can cost you dearly, and experience plays an important part in this game. Having been in this game for a while, Webber has the upper hand over Vettel in terms of experience and is less likely to make mistakes.
Mark Webber is now in a perfect position to prove he can still beat Sebastian Vettel. He has the car, he has the upper hand, he's now got the confidence, he has the same amount of championship points, and he's certainly got the minerals to lay down the gauntlet.
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