Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

Verstappen highlights "big priority" for Red Bull in second half of F1 2026

Formula 1
Dutch GP
Verstappen highlights "big priority" for Red Bull in second half of F1 2026

The 'incredible stories' that could be told in Formula E's London title decider

Feature
Formula E
London ePrix I
The 'incredible stories' that could be told in Formula E's London title decider

Why Buemi is calling time on his Formula E career after 12 seasons

Formula E
London ePrix I
Why Buemi is calling time on his Formula E career after 12 seasons

FIA completes Rally Scotland inspection ahead of 2027 WRC inclusion

WRC
FIA completes Rally Scotland inspection ahead of 2027 WRC inclusion

Mercedes explains "out of phase" developments compared with other F1 teams

Formula 1
Dutch GP
Mercedes explains "out of phase" developments compared with other F1 teams

The set-up error behind Quartararo’s British GP penalty

MotoGP
British GP
The set-up error behind Quartararo’s British GP penalty

How many manufacturers will take the Rally2 option in 2027?

Feature
WRC
How many manufacturers will take the Rally2 option in 2027?

FIA lifts sanctions on Russian, Belarusian drivers

General
FIA lifts sanctions on Russian, Belarusian drivers

Webber surprised by RBR performance

Mark Webber admitted that he was surprised by Red Bull's performance in Chinese Grand Prix qualifying, having expected a tougher fight with the team's rivals

Sebastian Vettel and Webber put the two Red Bull-Renaults first and third on the grid, split by Fernando Alonso's Renault, but ahead of the Brawn GP cars that have dominated the early part of the 2009 season.

"I expected it to be a bit tighter," said Webber. "We did a very good job, Q2 was strong, the cars are behaving very well so I am pretty happy with it."

He felt the result was a just reward for the efforts Red Bull Racing had put in to develop its car during the opening races.

"The work that has gone into it was incredible," Webber said. "It's nice to have both of us on the front rows."

The Australian added that it was also a pleasing result for him personally given his battle to regain fitness over the winter having injuring his leg and shoulder in a cycling accident.

"It has been a testing winter for me," Webber admitted.

"I wasn't quick in winter testing, my leg was not that straightforward and with the other injuries I had, I've been incredibly determined to get in the best condition I can and best shape possible, to give this youngster (Vettel) a hard time. So far it is working and it is working well."

Previous article Vettel celebrates 'unbelievable' pole
Next article Alonso: Renault is back in the hunt

Top Comments