After a stunning formula one debut, running fifth in an unconsidered Minardi at the Australian Grand Prix of 2002, Mark Webber looked set for a stellar future. Things turned out differently, however, with a succession of uninspired and unlucky career moves frustrating his progress. Poor results in the Australian Grand Prix also harmed his reputation in his homeland, and the general public – few of whom fully understand the intricacies of F1 – began to deride Webber as a non-winner. Through it all, the 33-year-old remained focused. Rarely had he needed to draw on his reserves of self-belief more than in the northern winter of 2008-09, when he sustained a broken leg that prevented him from practicing in the new Red Bull car being prepared for the 2009 season. The Australian bounced back in sensational style, however, scoring the first pole position of his career in Germany and going on to record his maiden Grand Prix victory. In Brazil in October, he showed that was no fluke when he swept to another win. He goes into 2010 as a contender for the world title – and Australia’s most successful racing driver in three decades. Michael Lynch
|
