Webber responds to Marko’s criticism
A few days ago, Helmut Marko clearly expressed his point of view in the press regarding Mark Webber's position in the Red Bull team. According to him, the Australian driver perfectly fulfills his role as second driver but cannot legitimately expect more. These criticisms do not seem to affect the morale of the main person concerned, who remains very motivated for the coming year.
In an interview published in *SportBild*, Helmut Marko recently stated that [Mark Webber could not aspire to any role other than that of the second driver within Red Bull](insert link), adding more to it in the *Red Bulletin*, published by the Austrian team, where he expresses the opinion that Webber is unbeatable only once or twice a year and that he is not at the same level as his teammate, Sebastian Vettel: « It seems to me that Webber has, on average, two races a year where he is unbeatable, but he cannot maintain this form throughout the year. And as soon as he has prospects of starting to perform well in the world championship, he struggles a little with the pressure that creates. Compared to the growing form of Seb [Vettel], it seems to me that Mark’s form flattens somewhat. So if some technical misfortunes occur, like with the alternator, for example, he quite easily falls into a downward spiral. »
Mark Webber dismisses these criticisms with a wave of his hand and doesn’t seem to care: « You know, everyone at this level has their own address book. And it has been clear for quite some time now that I was never part of Marko’s. »
The Australian also takes the opportunity to update on the condition of his leg, which was fractured in January 2009 following a bike accident. He underwent a new operation at the end of last year, which seems to be the last one: « I had a final operation on my right leg at the beginning of December 2012 to remove the last remaining metal element, a 40cm titanium rod. The operation went well, and my recovery has been exceptional. »
Following this operation, Aussie Grit, as he is nicknamed, was able to resume his normal physical training routine: I had a few extra weeks of vacation compared to my planned training program, but I was able to get back to my normal routine starting the first week of January. I didn’t really know what to expect after the operation, apart from my own peace of mind, but I am very happy that some of the discomfort and pain I sometimes experienced over the last three years already seem to be a thing of the past.
The Australian is more motivated than ever for the upcoming season: « I am sure we will have another exciting season full of challenges, and it will be interesting to see who will be the strongest. We might have a small idea of that after the first tests, but it is only when we get to Melbourne for the first race that we will really know. I am very eager to get my hands on the RB9 and work with my new race engineer, Simon Rennie. It will be important to have a solid pre-season with him, after having spent nearly six years with Ciaron Pilbeam, with whom I had a long and enjoyable relationship, but who is no longer part of the team. »
As is customary now for several years, the season will open in Melbourne, Australia, Webber’s homeland. He is therefore excited to start a new chapter of his career at home: « I am eager to start the season in Australia after preparing well for it over the last two months. But it’s clear that there’s no point in getting ahead of myself. We need to take each week, of testing and races, as it comes. »
