Interview: Webber Feels No Extra Pressure

Australia's Mark Webber feels under no more pressure than any other driver, even though he is preparing to make his Formula One debut at the season-opening race in Melbourne on March 3rd.

"In terms of pressure, there are not many sports that are up there with this," said Webber, 25, who is on a one-year contract with Minardi. "Every weekend, every lap, is scrutinised very heavily," he added as he spoke to Australian reporters via a teleconference from England.

"I'm fully aware of what pressure I'm under this year to perform. (Ferrari's Rubens) Barrichello, (McLaren's David) Coulthard, it doesn't matter who you are. Every year is a new year and every race is a new race. I'm up for it mate and 2003 will come if I do a good job.

"There's no question that leaving the pit lane (in Melbourne) is going to be special for all three days. Every day will be great and I can't wait to feel what it's going to feel like."

Webber admitted Minardi would need an unbelievable amount of luck to gain a point this year.

"There is no question - we need luck," Webber said. "You wouldn't be able to believe how much luck we will need to get that point. Or it might come easier than expected. F1 is 'if' spelt backwards, so you never know what's going to happen. Hopefully we can get a point somewhere along the line.

"There's absolutely no question it's going to take some luck, but you have to be in it to win it. So hopefully we can get some points."

Webber, who will be Australia's first Grand Prix driver since 1994, said he had been absolutely staggered by the support he had received from fans.

"When you look at it, 20 or 30 e-mails an hour, phone calls, text messages. I've had a huge response from people in every corner of Australia. It's exciting times," he said.

With Minardi now owned by aviation millionaire Paul Stoddart, Webber will become the first Australian to drive for an Australian-owned team since Tim Schenken drove for Brabham in 1971, and the first to make his debut at home.

Underdog

Webber said he would be on equal status with Minardi co-driver, Malaysian Alex Yoong.

The Australian, who has been testing in Barcelona, said he enjoyed the underdog atmosphere of the Minardi team, which is largely Italian.

"They're very emotional little guys. They work very hard. After I do a run, I come in and they are patting me on the helmet and patting my shoulder, saying well done in broken English," Webber said.

The former Benetton test driver said Minardi were capable of embarrassing some of the stronger Formula One teams, if they had a bigger budget.

"At the moment, the season for a smaller team comes around very, very quickly. It's very tough for us to respond to problems and things that come up," Webber said.

"As the season goes on, hopefully we can progress."

Webber said his blood would be pumping for his debut at the Australian Grand Prix.

"There's no question there's going to be a lot of adrenaline from the old home town syndrome," he said.

"Any driver's dream I suppose is to compete in front of their home nation and to do it in your first grand prix is a special twist to the story I suppose."

Webber said there was still no question his main goal for Melbourne was simply to finish the race.

"We would just want to try and get to the flag, obviously not six laps behind because that wouldn't please anyone," he said.