Mark Webber, the Formula One world championship leader, is refreshed and confident of a strong showing at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix can launch his final push for the title. Webber took over at the top of the drivers' standings with his victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix just over three weeks ago.
The 33-year-old Australian, who deposed Lewis Hamilton when the Briton's McLaren suffered a rare reliability failure in Budapest, leads by just four points, with the top of the table very close. Only 20 points cover the first five drivers in the championship. With the sport's summer break now almost over, a seven-race conclusion to the year starts in Belgium and concludes at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit on November 14.
The Spa-Francorchamps circuit is expected to favour the McLaren duo of Hamilton and his teammate Jenson Button given its long straights, although Webber is convinced that he and his Red Bull-Renault will be strong. "I don't think there is a driver on the grid that doesn't look forward to Spa. It's an incredible circuit to drive on," Webber said. "I expect we can do well there, whether it's as well as I did in Budapest is a question for everyone, but I know our team is ready."
Webber would also appear to be up for the fight after avoiding all the usual pitfalls that surround an F1 weekend during the recent holiday. "The most important thing for me during the break is to stay away from planes and hotels, as the last part of the championship includes plenty of those," Webber added. "The break helps the drivers get refreshed, away from the travel and the hotels - it's not the driving that makes us tired."
Meanwhile, Hamilton has been fined Aus$500 (Dh1,600) but avoided a conviction for reckless driving outside Melbourne's Australian Grand Prix circuit in March. The Briton, who came sixth in the race, was booked and had his Mercedes car impounded for spinning his wheels in view of police in a street near the Albert Park circuit. The 25-year-old did not appear in Melbourne Magistrates' Court yesterday as he prepared for this weekend's action in Spa, but avoided conviction for a charge of "driving a vehicle causing loss of traction".
Local media quoted Hamilton's lawyer as telling the court that the Briton had publicly apologised and suffered "embarrassment, humiliation and distress" after he was denounced in the media following the incident. Magistrate Clive Alsop said Hamilton was a role model for young people, which put the onus on him to behave responsibly. "This is about somebody in a responsible position behaving like a hoon," Alsop was quoted by Australian Associated Press as saying.
A "hoon" is a term used by Australians to describe a person who drives irresponsibly or recklessly. Alsop said he would not convict Hamilton as it was his first offence of its kind. * Agencies
