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F1: Rivals must capitalise at Red Bull's weakest tracks

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Khatir Soltani
From GMM

Mark Webber thinks the rest of the 2010 championship will be played out in two parts.

The championship leader admits that at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, and then in two weeks at Monza, the Red Bull's Renault V8 might struggle to keep up with more powerful engines.

"I think Monza will be our weakest circuit of the remaining seven," said the Australian.

"Spa is (also) a big horse power circuit and we are lacking a bit in that department. But if we can come away from the next two races with a good tally of points it would set us up nicely for the remaining five tracks, which we believe play to our strengths," Mark Webber explained.

Lewis Hamilton agrees that the long straights at Spa and Monza are an opportunity for Red Bull's rivals.

"We've really got to optimise and capitalise on these two races," said the Briton.

His McLaren teammate Jenson Button agrees: "We know these two races are important for us. They will suit us for one reason or another. This is a little window for us."

"Our pace will be a lot closer and we need to make that count before we get back to high downforce tracks," added the reigning world champion.

But according to Mark Webber, it is Fernando Alonso - quickest in both Friday sessions in Belgium - with arguably the best shot at the title, despite his 20 point deficit.

"For me it's maybe Alonso in the best situation," he is quoted by Swiss newspaper Blick, "because Ferrari are concentrating on him fully."

The Spaniard disagrees that he is the Italian's number one, but still rates his chances of winning in 2010.

"There are only 20 points to the leader now. That's less than one race. We need to be very consistent, to be on the podium in every race if we can, and for sure to win at least two of the seven," Fernando Alonso is quoted by the Guardian.

Photo WRi2


Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 8 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada