Formula One: Red Bull are incredibly motivated, says Webber

Driver second in Indian GP practice behind teammate Vettel.

Mark Webber appeared optimistic about Red Bull’s chances at the Indian Grand Prix as both cars finished first and second in the second free practice yesterday, according to ESPN F1.

Webber was just 0.118 seconds behind teammate Sebastian Vettel, who currently tops the drivers’ rankings in the world championship.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso was third fastest ahead of Germany’s Nico Rosberg in the leading Mercedes car. Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus was fifth fastest ahead of the two McLarens of Britons Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

“It went pretty well today, but pole position is one thing and Sunday’s another,” said Webber. “So we need to perform well on both days and I think we have a very good chance. The car’s working well, the guys are doing a great job; there’s a huge amount of stuff to go through tonight.

“The team is obviously motivated and the drivers are as well, so we’re going okay.”

Meanwhile, Vettel emphasised that despite speculations arising from his team’s dominance in yesterday’s practice, the Indian Grand Prix will not be a private battle between the two Red Bull cars.

The reigning champion, who was 0.599 seconds ahead of his title rival Fernando Alonso, said that the race was still wide open.

“It’s not between Mark and myself, I think it’s between all of us,” he said. “We can be happy that we didn’t have any major issues. We were able to test a few things and now we need to see whether we made progress.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2012.