Webber hails ‘great day’ for Australia

At least one Australian emerged triumphant today as Mark Webber finally savoured the sweet taste of Formula One success.

Tomorrow’s meal with close friend, Australia captain Ricky Ponting, will not be as celebratory as planned after the cricketers missed out by one wicket on taking a 1-0 lead over England in the Ashes following a thrilling climax to the first Test at Cardiff.

But in becoming the first Australian since Alan Jones at Las Vegas in October 1981 to win a grand prix, Webber will still be hailed a hero Down Under.

Although Webber will be gutted by the result in the cricket, there was no doubting just how much his maiden win meant to him as an Australian.

“It was very, very important for me because not many Australian drivers have reached Formula One, and there are even fewer who have been successful,” remarked Webber.

“It’s a real message to the Australian people. I’ve always tried to represent my country as best as I can.

“We’re a very proud sporting nation which has done well on bikes in the past with Mick (Doohan) and Casey (Stoner).

“Now this is a great day for me and Australia.”

It is also one in the eye for the critics who had written him off during the winter.

It was just under seven months ago Webber broke his right leg in a cycling accident in Tasmania, and there were fears his career might be over.

At the age of 32, his time in F1 appeared to be drawing to a close anyway, with the suggestion his days might be numbered.

But through sheer determination and will power, Webber fought his way to fitness, buoyed by the prospect of being handed a potential race-winning car for the first time in eight years in the sport.

Webber, though, has watched on as Red Bull Racing team-mate Sebastian Vettel grabbed wins and the plaudits in China, and most recently at Silverstone, until today’s race.

Not even a drive-through penalty for playing dodgems with Rubens Barrichello off the line denied Webber his long-overdue moment in the sun, taking the chequered flag at his 130th attempt.

It secured him a place in Formula One’s record books as no driver has taken so long to get a maiden triumph under their belts.

Reflecting on the agony he went through to enjoy today’s ecstasy, Webber said: “It was a difficult winter.

“But Sebastian showed in winter testing what the car could do, and that kept my motivation very high when I was hurting a lot with all my rehab.

“I had great people around me to recover from the injuries I had, and the team were incredibly patient with me as well.

“I want to thank (team owner) Dietrich (Mateschitz) and Red Bull for what they did for me over the winter, and everyone in Australia who supported me on the way through.

“Of course, there are a few people who doubted me too, so hello to them as well!

“But it is just an incredible day for all the people who’ve helped me get to where I am.”

Webber was heard screaming over the car radio with delight after he crossed the line before team boss Christian Horner proclaimed: “Mark you’re a grand prix winner. You deserve it. Well done.”

Horner later added: “It was a brilliant team performance, and a fantastic drive from Mark – he’s been on it all weekend.

“After all the difficulties he’s been through over the winter, I’m absolutely delighted he’s managed to get his first win.”

Webber led home a third Red Bull one-two of the season, this time with Vettel forced to accept second best.

But with rivals Jenson Button and Barrichello finishing only fifth and sixth for Brawn GP, the Red Bull duo are firmly in the title hunt.

With eight races remaining, Button’s advantage has been cut to 21 points over Vettel who is up to second, with Webber a further 1.5 adrift, relegating Barrichello to fourth, 24 points behind Button.

In the constructors’ championship, meanwhile, Brawn’s deficit over Red Bull has been slashed dramatically to 19.5 points.

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa finished on the podium for the first time this year, with Williams’ Nico Rosberg also ahead of the Brawns in fourth.

Admitting it was “a difficult day” for Brawn GP, Button added: “We have to put it behind us and look forward.

“I just can’t wait to get to Hungary in two weeks where we will have new parts and hopefully warmer weather to take the fight to the Red Bulls.”

Renault’s Fernando Alonso and Heikki Kovalainen in his McLaren completed the top eight, whilst it was another sorry day for world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Despite making a blistering start from fifth on the grid, Hamilton collected a puncture at the first corner after being clipped by Webber, wrecking his race in which he trailed home 18th and last.