Mark’s 2013 Spanish Grand Prix preview
The European Formula One season gets underway in Spain this weekend, at a track where Mark has achieved a lot of success during his career. He won from lights-to-flag at Barcelona in 2010 and he’s hoping to kick-start his 2013 title challenge this weekend.
“The last couple of races have been pretty tough,” says Mark. “In Bahrain I was compromised early on because I damaged the floor of my car and there have been a few grid penalties at the last couple of events as well. I’m hoping to have a clean weekend here; if I can start to put away some decent results in the next few races, I still believe I can challenge for the title this year. I’m happy with the way I’m driving, I just need a clean weekend.
“I like this track in Barcelona; it’s high-speed and has a pretty good flow to it. It’s a good test of man and machine, and it’s quite fun having the tower on the start-finish straight because you see immediately where you are after a qualifying lap. Everyone will find out how good their car is here, so it’s certainly going to be interesting.”
The three-week break since the last race in Bahrain has been a busy time for Red Bull Racing. The team has been preparing upgrades for this race and it’s been doing as much homework as possible about Pirelli’s new hard compound tyre that’s due to be introduced.
“This year’s tyres have been very difficult for all of the teams to understand,” says Mark. “The new hard compound throws something else into the mix, but one team can’t say it’s more confident than another as a result of the change. Only once we’ve tried it in practice will we begin to understand how it works.”
Mark couldn’t let the build-up of this weekend’s race pass without commenting on the retirement of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I’ve been to Old Trafford many times,” says Mark. “I’ve watched Sir Alex’s team play and I’ve admired everything about him. His longevity has been impressive; his desire and ambition has been infectious and the team will miss him very much. I’m sure David Moyes will do a great job, but there’s no doubt that Sir Alex will be missed. One day I’d like to meet him and shake his hand because what he’s achieved has been phenomenal.”
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7 Comments
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Jill and Brian
on May 10, 2013All the best Mark, we will be there in Barca supporting you, look out for an Aussie Grit flag on start/finish line. Give us a wave mate. Drive with true grit and determination and we’ll see you on top step Mark, come on mate you can do it.
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Roberta
on May 10, 2013Go Mark!!! You are the number 1!!!
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Craig
on May 10, 2013I’d be keeping an eagle eye on camp Seb and RB for anything dodgy after saying this – “.. I still believe I can challenge for the title this year…I just need a clean weekend.” – quarantine your pit area now!
All that BS aside, wish you all the best mate for at least a fun and competitive race. I’d love to see you win but overall just want to see you up there having a good race with other respectful drivers that know how to duke it out without taking each other out.
Cheers,
Craig
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John Spicer
on May 10, 2013Go Mark and leave the German Partner of yours in the dust and marbles !!!
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emily
on May 10, 2013thats it webber, positive and optimistic all the way….lets repeat the success of 2010 here and start chipping away at the top four guys… mate.. we all know you can do it, some bloody decent luck wouldnt go astray… but you wont need it… catalunya has always been impressive for you in both qualy and the race, get ahead of seb on the grid and fight hard man
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NATALIA RINCON
on May 10, 2013I’m nervous to see you! Saturday and Sunday at Montmelo, we will be cheering you much in the first corner. I hope to celebrate on Sunday 2 wins, yours and FC Barcelona. kisses from Barcelona!!!!!
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psycho budgie
on May 11, 2013Looking foward to watching you race again mate, best for qually and the main day. 😀
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