This year holds the potential to shape Mark Webber’s legacy in Formula One.
For the Australian, who will turn 37 in August and is the eldest driver on the grid, this season can be seen as a ‘now or never’ opportunity.
Red Bull has claimed the last three drivers’ championships – all with the young star Sebastian Vettel at the helm, leaving Webber in the less desirable position of supporting teammate.
On a yearly contract, it remains uncertain whether Webber will see his deal extend into 2014, especially with younger contenders like countryman Daniel Ricciardo keen to replace him.
The seasoned driver has consistently stated that he has no intention of moving to a less competitive car, making this year his final opportunity to pilot a leading vehicle and secure the elusive world title.
In 2010, he created a significant opportunity to win the championship but ended up stumbling through self-imposed challenges while aiming for success.
He found himself on a victory roll during an exceptional year, claiming wins in Spain, Monaco, Britain, and Hungary.
Leading the world championship points chart, an unforced mistake led to a catastrophic spin during the Korean GP, which proved to be a heavy blow.
Despite this setback, he remained in contention for the title at the concluding Abu Dhabi GP.
A disappointing fifth in qualifying effectively dashed his hopes in a chaotic race that saw him and fellow rival Fernando Alonso contesting their own battle while Vettel seized the championship opportunity.
Last year, Webber retained a competitive edge, securing wins again in Monaco and Britain.
He has vehemently rejected claims suggesting he should step down or that he may become a liability to Red Bull as he ages.
“I don’t see this as my last year in Formula One,” he said. “For the past four years, I have entered into one-year contracts even when I was battling for the world title.”
“I still feel like I’m 25; I know I am not, but I feel youthful.”
“I don’t sense any tiredness when I’m behind the wheel. I feel great.”
Known for his fitness and resilience, the Australian still possesses speed, yet some patterns remain unchanged, particularly his sluggish starts.
Without a surprising turnaround, Webber’s vacant expression at the start lights will persist.
Frequently, he has found himself losing races before reaching the first corner, even when starting from pole position, causing confusion and irritation for him, his team, and supporters alike.
Red Bull principal Christian Horner has offered complex and technical explanations for why these slow starts have become characteristic of Webber.
However, the reality remains that such occurrences do not plague the other top drivers.
When Horner attempted to clarify, he resorted to jargon involving engine alignment with chassis electronics, the necessity to synchronize dual clutches, and “bite points.”
Horner generously remarked, “Mark’s had some good starts; unfortunately, the problematic ones have been when he’s been right up front.”
In contrast, Vettel, driving the same Red Bull car, has lost just four positions at the start.
Within his own team, Webber has faced criticism beyond external reservations, notably being accused of choking under pressure.
This criticism originates from Dr. Helmet Marko, Red Bull’s ‘advisor’ and an outspoken fan of Vettel, who has placed significant pressure on Webber due to his persistent favoritism.
Regrettably, Marko does raise some valid points. However, it’s quite embarrassing when his negative remarks appear in the Red Bull team’s internal magazine.
“Webber appears to have, on average, two races each year where he is exceptional, yet he struggles to sustain this performance throughout the season,” Marko stated in Red Bulletin.
“Once his chances in the World Championship appear promising, he encounters difficulties coping with the ensuing pressure.
“When comparing to Seb’s improving form, it seems that Mark’s performance tends to stagnate.
“If a technical issue arises, like an alternator failure, he tends to easily fall into a downward spiral.”
Webber’s recovery from a dismal 2011, marked by two victories in the previous year, was short-lived. A disappointing latter half of the season saw him drop to sixth in the drivers’ championship, five positions behind Vettel, who secured his third title.
According to Marko, Webber’s psyche has been disrupted by the challenge of keeping pace with arguably the sport’s finest driver after a career spent outpacing lesser teammates in previous teams.
“For the majority of his career, Mark was never part of a top team, yet he was always seen as a potential star if he could join the right team,” Marko remarked.
“Then Red Bull places him in a (winning) car, and suddenly a young talent comes along and takes the prize right from Mark’s reach.
“It’s undoubtedly a challenging psychological situation. This would eat away at anyone’s confidence, and it’s completely understandable.”
Retirement is approaching, sooner rather than later, and it’s evident that the Australian is already grappling with the topic.
“I haven’t reached that point yet, but it will undoubtedly be a very tough moment,” Webber told GP International magazine.
“I suppose it boils down to timing – avoiding retirement too soon when you know you still have more to offer, or staying too long, struggling to maintain your previous performance levels.”