GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | New rules might help even Red Bull rather than push us off track, says defiant Mark Webber

New rules might help even Red Bull rather than push us off track, says defiant Mark Webber

By IAN STAFFORD

Last updated at 12:45 AM on 3rd July 2011

Mark Webber insists that new rules which come into force at next weekend’s British Grand Prix will not halt Red Bull’s charge towards another world title.

There is a groundswell of opinion within Formula One that fresh regulations relating to diffusers, which affect a car’s downforce, will dent the runaway leaders’ championship ambitions.

But Australian Webber, who trails his Red Bull team-mate and defending world champion Sebastian Vettel by 77 points in the drivers’ championship, believes just the opposite.

Top dogs: Sebastian Vettel (left) won in Valencia with team-mate Mark Webber claiming third

Webber, 34, who is joint second in the drivers’ championship with McLaren’s Jenson Button and won at Silverstone last year, said: ‘I’ll be very surprised if the new rule changes the pecking order on the grid and in races. My gut feeling is that they might even help us a bit.’

With his team, inspired by the engineering genius of Adrian Newey, also enjoying a massive lead in the constructors’ race, the season is in danger of being over before the midway point of the 19-race schedule if Webber and, in particular Vettel, triumph on Sunday.

‘We’re not too concerned about the rule, let’s put it that way,’ added Webber.

‘Traditionally, our team always deal well with new technical changes because we’re good at reacting, thanks to the clever guys we have. When you’re losing, teams are under pressure to find any glimmer of hope that things will change. The idea that Red Bull will suffer is more in hope than factual.

Tech guru: Red Bull's engineering genius Adrian Newey

‘We’re constantly under the heat of other teams questioning our design because we perform so well. We’ll still be very competitive at Silverstone.’

Engine mapping rule changes were supposed to halt Red Bull’s surge at the European Grand Prix in Valencia last week but that theory was dispelled when Vettel and Webber notched a one-two in qualifying.

And Webber warned rivals that there is no danger of Red Bull becoming complacent.

He said: ‘We’re up against the best teams and drivers so we know that if we become even a little bit complacent they will be all over us.

‘We need to stay driven and motivated and not become too blasé.’

Credit: The Daily Mail (www.dailymail.co.uk)