24/10/2013
NEWS STORY
Two weeks later, Mark Webber remains unhappy with his team's strategic call during the Japanese Grand Prix.
Speaking after the Suzuka race, from which he started on pole, Webber was critical of the team's decision to split its strategy, leaving (race winner) Sebastian Vettel on a two-stopper whilst switching the Australian to three.
"It's hard to know which was right - a two or three-stop strategy - as we were trying to cover off Romain," was the comment he made via his team.
However, speaking to Sky Sports F1 he was a little more forthright. "I was a little bit surprised," he admitted. "I asked was it the right thing to do because I felt we could get to the lap we were looking to get to. Of course Seb was two or three laps longer, four laps maybe, but in terms of the target lap that we looked to get to the two-stop (window) I thought was achievable.
"The three was not absolutely ridiculous," he continued, "but it's a bit more high risk and you've got to clear people obviously (on the track). So piggy in the middle trying to do both and in the end we got it back to where we were in terms of position, but obviously Seb jumped both of us."
Speaking at today's press conference, the Australian, soon to depart F1 for Sports Cars, admitted he was still puzzled by the team's strategic switch.
"I still stand by what I said at the time," he told reporters, "but obviously a bit surprised that we elected to do that. Having a three stop, you've got to pass two cars to win the race instead of maybe sticking to a two where we just focused on trying to beat Romain. What I said at the time is still pretty accurate today."
However, the Australian veteran wasn't quite a frank when asked his opinion of his teammate, Sebastian Vettel.
"Obviously he's had an incredible run. Some of the championships have been tight, some less tight. Obviously '11 and this year have been pretty much a non-event but 2010 and 2012 were up to the last race.
"I think he's certainly done an incredible job. I think he's been very strong on the Pirellis; obviously (on) the Bridgestones was probably a little bit tighter but on Pirellis he's certainly been very strong and no real weaknesses on those tyres so it's been strong for him. Just super consistent and that's what's made him strong, obviously, and also getting the most out of the package.
"Obviously the car's been quick and he's capitalised on a lot of venues. He's won with a dominant car but also he's won with a car which some races is probably not... certainly over those four years to win races he probably shouldn't have won races. That's also been a quality of his."
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