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Webber: Melbourne start is return to good old days
Source: Agencies |
February 24, 2011, Thursday
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MELBOURNE will take Formula One "back to the good old days" after civil unrest in Bahrain left Australia to host next month's season opener, Mark Webber said on Tuesday.
Bahrain authorities called off their March 13 race on Monday after a week of bloody anti-government demonstrations in the Gulf kingdom, leaving Australia to open the sport's new championship on March 27.
The 34-year-old Red Bull driver welcomed the unexpected chance to kick off his title campaign on home soil.
"It's a real shame that we missed out on Bahrain. It has been good to us in the past and hopefully they will get on top of everything out there shortly," said the 2010 title contender. "So on to the next one, which happens to be in Australia.
"It's back to the good old days isn't it? It always used to be the season-opener and it's a sensational place for it."
Webber scored the first points of his F1 career in Melbourne when he finished fifth on his debut with struggling minnows Minardi in 2002. For years that remained his best result but as Australia's sole F1 driver he was always guaranteed a place in the limelight in Melbourne.
This year promises to be even more of a crowd-puller, with Webber arriving after the best year of his career and hoping to become the first Australian to win his home grand prix. "Monaco is the No. 1 and after that you go for your home races," said the man whose wins in the principality and at Silverstone last year helped him become the first Australian since 1980 champion Alan Jones to lead the standings.
"We are not in a position to pick and choose but it is one that any driver would like to win after Monaco."
Webber said the opening slot would be a big boost for Melbourne, with more tourists expected to travel to Australia and stay for longer, and brushed off recent criticism of the event by politicians.
"That's normal stuff mate, isn't it?" said Webber. "It always comes around each year."
Bahrain authorities called off their March 13 race on Monday after a week of bloody anti-government demonstrations in the Gulf kingdom, leaving Australia to open the sport's new championship on March 27.
The 34-year-old Red Bull driver welcomed the unexpected chance to kick off his title campaign on home soil.
"It's a real shame that we missed out on Bahrain. It has been good to us in the past and hopefully they will get on top of everything out there shortly," said the 2010 title contender. "So on to the next one, which happens to be in Australia.
"It's back to the good old days isn't it? It always used to be the season-opener and it's a sensational place for it."
Webber scored the first points of his F1 career in Melbourne when he finished fifth on his debut with struggling minnows Minardi in 2002. For years that remained his best result but as Australia's sole F1 driver he was always guaranteed a place in the limelight in Melbourne.
This year promises to be even more of a crowd-puller, with Webber arriving after the best year of his career and hoping to become the first Australian to win his home grand prix. "Monaco is the No. 1 and after that you go for your home races," said the man whose wins in the principality and at Silverstone last year helped him become the first Australian since 1980 champion Alan Jones to lead the standings.
"We are not in a position to pick and choose but it is one that any driver would like to win after Monaco."
Webber said the opening slot would be a big boost for Melbourne, with more tourists expected to travel to Australia and stay for longer, and brushed off recent criticism of the event by politicians.
"That's normal stuff mate, isn't it?" said Webber. "It always comes around each year."
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