Webber savours ‘greatest day’
As last season’s winner Jenson Button remarked last week, it is the first race every driver wants to win, the glittering jewel in Formula One’s crown.
And Webber emulated his feat in Spain a week ago with a lights-to-flag triumph, meaning the 33-year-old has led for a total of 144 consecutive laps.
More importantly, Webber is now in possession of the championship lead by virtue of two victories to one over Red Bull Racing team-mate Sebastian Vettel, with whom he is tied on 78 points.
In taking the chequered flag he became the first Australian to win in Monte Carlo since three-times champion Sir Jack Brabham in 1959.
In adding his name to the role of honour of winners such as six-times king Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and ‘Mr Monaco’ Graham Hill, who won five times, Webber said: “To win here is a very special day.
“It is absolutely incredible, the greatest day of my life today. To win in Monaco is a dream for any Formula One driver.
“Every Formula One victory is special, but to win on the streets here fair and square off pole, no attrition again, it’s fantastic.
“And to join such great winners here, like Ayrton and those guys, is a real special moment for me.
“I was also reminded yesterday Jack Brabham won here in 1959, so it has been a while for the Australians.”
In celebration of their one-two, Red Bull’s second this year that has also lifted the team into the lead in the constructors’ championship, Webber and Vettel jumped in Monaco harbour.
The party atmosphere continued later when team boss Christian Horner was thrown in the swimming pool that is on the upper deck of their floating motorhome.
Assessing his day’s work, Webber added: “It started yesterday with qualifying when it went well, but this place is such a test for two hours. I knew I had a lot of work to do.
“We had back markers and a lot of safety cars, so we were tested quite often with restarts and the like.
“All the basics that could test you were in front of us, so this is a very, very rewarding win. I’m just absolutely elated.”
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