Mark Webber admits he hasn’t been fast enough nor consistent enough to challenge his younger teammate, Sebastian Vettel, this season.
The 24-year-old became the youngest ever double world champion on Sunday after finishing third at the Japanese Grand Prix. He narrowly missed out on his tenth win of the season after finishing just two seconds behind Jenson Button.
Webber however, has struggled to match Vettel and hasn’t won a single race this season, though he has come close on a number of occasions, with two second places in Turkey and Belgium.
“At the beginning we had problems, but, ultimately, I have not been fast enough nor consistent enough to fight for wins with Sebastian,” conceded the Australian to El Pais.
Webber put his problems down to tyres which he is now only getting to grips with.
“He [Vettel] has not had any problems in this regard. The key is to get up to a good pace without destroying them [the Pirellis]. I have to improve in this regard.”
The 35-year-old denied he started the season as number two, and says next season he will be ready to beat Vettel if the German isn’t comfortable with the RB8.
“The two of us started on equal terms, but it has ended well for Sebastian, he became champion. You never know what can happen [in 2012], so I have to be prepared because, maybe, the new car does not suit him or he is not comfortable in it.”
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