Mark Webber not writing off Ferrari's chances of strong start to F1 season

Mark Webber thinks it would be wrong to write off Ferrari's chances of starting the Formula 1 season strongly, with the early form guide pointing towards Red Bull and McLaren as favourites.

Although Ferrari has failed to shine in the first two pre-season tests, Webber knows that winter running can potentially count for nothing at the first race - especially since the team has a driver like Fernando Alonso on board.

"As long as Fernando has a steering wheel in his hand he is always there," said Webber. "So you can never discount Fernando.
"I think McLaren look pretty well prepared, but we have seen it in the past where people are not very organised in the winter but then arrive at the first race extremely organised.

"We are focused on ourselves. We have a lot of work to do in Milton Keynes over the next five or six days to prepare the car for the next test, and then there is a huge workload for Melbourne.


"The test has been put back by one day, so that makes Melbourne a bit tighter, but in the end we have gathered a lot of information in the last two tests."

Webber feels satisfied with the progress that Red Bull is making, but has expressed some eagerness to get on with the first race.

"Winter testing has gone pretty well in terms of starting quite well with the RB8," he said. "I'm feeling positive and looking forward to the first race.
"We all like driving F1 cars in testing, but the racing is when it really starts because we also have to stop guesstimating - talking about who is quick and who is slow."