Mark Webber is in favor of the 107% rule

Mark Webber, the Red Bull Racing driver, heavily involved in the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers’ Association), sends a strong signal to the F1 authorities.

Indeed, as the first GP of the season has just ended, the Australian driver is sounding the alarm. For him, this new season with its mix of new teams with very variable performances, reminds him of his own situation when he was racing for Paul Stoddart (former Minardi). At that time, as he recalls, the 107% rule applied:

Paul Stoddart has always known this rule, it was necessary to perform miracles every year to comply with it. Despite this, sometimes Stoddie’s cars had to go home. So I think it’s a good rule to get the best level in terms of quality and preparation in F1.

Thus, if the 107% rule had been in place at Sakhir, the Virgin Racing and Lotus teams would have comfortably qualified. Only the two HRTs would not have been able to participate in the race.

Webber believes that the case of the Spanish team is different; for him, these two cars were participants, without being in competition. The goal was not to seek performance.

The Red Bull driver shows understanding towards Karun Chandhok, who started the race without even having been able to do real tests.

« He has quite a good experience in the junior categories and that’s an advantage, it’s not like a few years ago in Budapest where we had an Israeli guy (Chanoch Nissany) who was completely out of his depth. »

Regarding Virgin and Lotus, he remains positive: « They have done a very solid job. »

The question is asked. For Mark Webber, it’s certain, reinstating the 107% rule as early as 2011 would be a way to elevate F1, in the pursuit of the performance of the machines and the outdoing of the drivers.