Mark Webber reckons qualifying will be ‘bloody’ important in Spain as the last nine winners have started on pole.
The Red Bull driver is hoping to finish on the podium in Barcelona after failing to convert three front-row starts into wins, but he doesn’t expect it to be an easy race with all the teams bringing major upgrades to the first European race of the season.
“My goal for the Spanish Grand Prix is to taste more champagne,” the Australian said. “I’ve started on the front row of the grid at the last three races, but I’ve finished on the podium only once and it’s time to get another big result.
“I finished third at Barcelona in 2009 and I’m confident that the RB6 will allow me to be competitive this weekend as well. We’ve been quick on every type of track so far this year and we have a few updates for this race that should keep us in the hunt,” he said.
“However, the start of the European season usually brings with it lots of technical changes up and down the pitlane and it will be interesting to see how the pecking order is affected this weekend.”
Mercedes are debuting several upgrades this weekend including a radical engine cover, which Webber expects will see them join Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren at the front.
“I’m told that Mercedes Grand Prix have a lot of updates on their car here and they aren’t about to introduce anything that will make it go slower, so I expect them to join Red Bull Racing, Ferrari and McLaren at the front of the pack.”
Webber also stressed the importance of qualifying, saying it’s more important in Spain than it is in Monaco.
“Statistically, it’s more important to start from pole position in Barcelona than it is at Monaco because the last nine Spanish Grands Prix have been won from the pole.
“When you combine that with the fact that there were only four overtaking manoeuvres after the opening lap last year, qualifying is going to be bloody important on Saturday. It’s going to be a question of maximising every run in Q1, Q2 and Q3.”
