21/05/2012 17:17
Red Bull Formula One ace Mark Webber has revealed that he is in a confident mood ahead of the forthcoming Monaco Grand Prix.
The Australian driver has described Monaco, which is often the highlight of the F1 season, as a "really special track".
Pointing toward the challenging nature of the circuit, Webber remarked that it is an old design that has not changed too much over the years.
"It's got a bit easier from when I first joined Formula One ten years ago, but it's still a test of man against the track and with the car," he said.
Webber explained that his basic strategy heading into the event will be to block out the actions of his fellow drivers and focus on his own race.
"You're racing other people, but it doesn’t always feel like it because the track is always asking you to give more. If you bite and try to give it more then you crash so it's a very, very challenging circuit mentally," he added.
Webber has yet to secure a podium finish this season, but the open nature of the competition so far will give the driver, who is powered by RenaultSport's RS27 engine, hope for the weekend.
Indeed, so far this season five races have produced five different winners from five different teams.
Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, McLaren's Jenson Button, Mercedes' Nico Rosberg, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and Williams' Pastor Maldonado have all tasted victory this year.
Vettel, who is attempting to win a third straight crown, will also be looking to put some distance between himself and the other title challengers in Monaco.
The young German won the race last year after securing pole position and will be looking to emulate that success this time round.
"You have to push yourself and the car to the limit to be fast, you have to push as hard as on other tracks, but there's no room," he explained.
"You can almost feel it when you are just missing the wall and just get through - but it's a nice feeling. You need to be fully focused on track. It's a special thing to win in Monaco."
Posted by Louise Clark