Webber hopes to get title challenge back on track

Red Bull driver eyes return to the top in Monaco,

Red Bull driver Mark Webber is hopeful of getting his title challenge this season back on track as he prepares for this weekend’s Monaco GP, according to sportinglife.com.

Webber has suffered a troubled season so far, with its highlight being the controversial saga in Malaysia when he was deprived of a win by Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel’s decision to ignore team orders.

The 36-year-old is currently sixth in the drivers’ standings, 47 points adrift of three-time champion and current pace-setter Vettel. If the Australian is to have any hope of mounting charge, he has to earn a podium finish at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, where he has taken the chequered flag twice in the last three years.

“It’s always been a good track for me,” said Webber, whose 2010 win remains one of his best memories. “I won there in Formula 3000, and I’ve had my couple of wins in Formula One.

“It probably goes back to my street-racing experience in Adelaide in Formula Ford. I’m comfortable on street circuits, although I can’t translate it to Singapore yet. I don’t know why.

“As for Monaco, it’s still a daunting place, a very challenging venue. I’m not saying you are on holiday there. But when I’m out there, I don’t know what makes me feel as comfortable as I do.”

Ferrari must improve qualifying: Massa

Meanwhile, Felipe Massa says if there is one area where Ferrari has the greatest room for improvement, it is qualifying pace.

Ferrari has only been on the front row once in the five grand prix so far, courtesy of Massa’s second place in Malaysia.

“Overall, it’s been a positive start,” he said, according to ESPNF1. “In some races, we did very well, while in others, Bahrain for example, we had a few problems, which cost us valuable points.

“We have seen an all-round improvement this year, but clearly we can still improve, especially in qualifying. We are well aware of this and working towards that goal.

“I like the Monaco track a lot, partly because it’s my second home race, given I live there. My aim is very simple, to always be in the fight for a podium finish.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2013.