Chinese GP: Webber fears he will start from the back of the grid

The Australian was left in 14th position having had to park his Red Bull in an escape road.

Webber admitted there was a danger his car would not have sufficient fuel left to provide the mandatory post-qualifying sample.

The same issue caused Sebastian Vettel to be put to the back of the grid in Abu Dhabi last year.

"It was a lack of fuel pressure so I couldn't get back, so we stopped the car and qualifying was over before it started really," he said.

"We'll see what the rules are. I'm sure we'll go through the process. It may be a double whammy."

Article 6.6.2 of the technical regulations states: "Competitors must ensure that a one litre sample of fuel may be taken from the car at any time during the Event.

"After a practice session, if a car has not been driven back to the pits under its own power, it will be required to supply the above mentioned sample plus the amount of fuel that would have been consumed to drive back to the pits. The additional amount of fuel will be determined by the FIA."

Although Webber will have an additional set of tyres available for the race having missed Q3, he doubts it will be much of an advantage.

"I think everyone's in a similar boat saving tyres," he said. "The option [soft] is not really the tyre for this track it's completely wrong.

"This is disappointed. Q1 went very well for me and the car's been quick all weekend."