Webber playing it cool

Red Bull’s Mark Webber insists he has “been around the block enough times” to not be fazed by his disappointing start to the new Formula One season.

Webber has finished off the podium at the opening two races of the campaign while his team-mate Sebastian Vettel has waltzed to victory in both.

It is a contrast in fortunes that has left the Australian 28 points down on the reigning world champion and facing the bleak prospect of again playing second fiddle in the Red Bull team.

“I have been around long enough to understand that I have had some very good seasons in the last few years, and people always make the natural comparison between your team-mates and all that sort of stuff,” Webber said.

“Obviously Seb is driving really, really well, and he is on top of a lot of things at the moment.

“Every track throws up different challenges. I am fine. I think if I was much younger I would be panicking but I’m not panicking at all.

“I’ve been around the block too many times.”

Webber’s season got under way with a below-par display in his homeland, coming fifth in Melbourne, while his race in Malaysia was undermined when the KERS power-boost failed just before the start, leaving him at the mercy of his rivals into the first turn.

A solid recovery drive to fourth place was some consolation, and enough to convince Webber that he is still delivering for the team.

“For for me the first race wasn’t great, and Malaysia was a much, much more positive weekend,” he said.

“[Vettel] is very strong in qualifying and the race was disappointing in that I didn’t have a chance to look at the front of the grand prix.

“So it could be a lot worse than it is at the moment.”

Webber has watched on while Vettel has won the last four grands prix dating back to last season, but bristled when asked by a reporter whether, with Vettel eyeing five in a row, his situation was akin to that faced by Eddie Irvine in the days of Michael Schumacher’s dominance at Ferrari.

“Absolutely ludicrous question mate,” Webber replied.

“Five wins in a row? He’s not just beaten me. He’s beaten everyone.

“Nothing lasts forever. That’s the way it goes.”