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Dissapointing British Grand-Prix for Mark Webber

Mon 21-07 2003

Mark Webber's prediction that the Foster's British Grand Prix would be a tough race for Jaguar Racing proved correct after the team was forced to adopt a three stop strategy during the 60-lap race following two Safety Car periods during the opening stages. And, although Webber ran as high as eighth at one stage, his third and final pit stop was to put him well and truly out of contention for another points-scoring finish. He eventually placed 14th, one lap behind race winner, Rubens Barrichello.

After a difficult qualifying session which saw him start 11th on the grid, Webber lost a place off the start to McLaren's David Coulthard who also managed to out-launch Mark's team-mate, Antonio Pizzonia. The Safety Car was deployed on lap six when the head restraint from Coulthard's car fell onto the track and with both Coulthard and Pizzonia pitting, Webber moved into ninth position.

The Safety Car was scrambled a few laps later in bizarre circumstances when a protester managed to scale the barriers and ran down the track in the face of the on-coming cars. Miraculously, the first few cars through managed to avoid him before he was tackled by a marshal, although it was a close shave for Mark as the protester was close to Becketts when Mark arrived on the scene. "It was the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen on the track.." said a stunned Webber afterwards ".what turned out to be a protester running towards the cars flat out. It was a very, very unfortunate situation for the drivers to be put in and if this poor confused soul really did have some Christian beliefs or was making a stance for peace then perhaps he should have thought about other people first, not just the drivers, and the possible consequences. The thought that I came close to killing someone is pretty hard to take."

After stopping on lap 12 along with most of the field while the protester was removed, Webber spent much of the second stint stuck behind the Jordan of Ralph Firman. With little grip, it was impossible for Mark to find a way past the Englishman and by lap 19 Firman headed a train of no less than five cars including Webber, Pizzonia, Jacques Villeneuve, Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher. Pizzonia managed to pass Webber at end of the Hanger Straight, the two almost touching wheels in the process. Antonio though, pitted a lap later while Webber finally found a way past Firman at Copse, taking Alonso through with him. Webber pitted again on lap 29 and then managed to work his way back up into eighth position before having to stop for a third time on lap 47. He rejoined in 15th position and spent the remaining laps right on the tail of Firman again, moving up one place into 14th when Alonso retired with eight laps remaining.

"As we said before the race, it was always going to be a long afternoon for us and because of the new rules, we were stuck with the balance we had in qualifying, for the race. I got out-launched by DC off the start, which again we had pretty much expected, although I was surprised that Jacques wasn't quicker. After the Safety Car sessions, it was just a case of seeing whether I could bring it home but unfortunately on this occasion, it wasn't in the points But, we're now looking forward to Hockenheim where I'm hoping we'll be stronger."

Categorieën: Jacques Villeneuve

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