Stoddart Backs Jaguar's Webber Contract Renewal

Jaguar Racing have made the correct decision in handing a two-year contract extension to Mark Webber, the Australian's former Minardi team boss and compatriot Paul Stoddart has told Atlas F1.

Stoddart celebrated on the podium at the Australian Grand Prix last year after Webber scored a points finish on his Formula One debut, and he reluctantly allowed him to leave for Jaguar this season.

Webber has immediately impressed this season aiding in the development of Milton Keynes-based Jaguar after several under-achieving campaigns as well as powering to third and fifth on the grid in Brazil and Imola.

He scored his first points of the season in finishing seventh in the Spanish Grand Prix last weekend and Stoddart believes Webber and another of his former drivers Renault's Fernando Alonso will become race winners in Formula One.

"I don't think anyone will be surprised," Stoddart told Atlas F1 following Jaguar's announcement that Webber has signed a new deal after just five race with the team.

"I said when I signed Fernando (Alonso) that he would be a race winner and in Mark I see the same skills. He's definitely a race winner, perhaps better.

"The guy has incredible maturity and Jaguar needed him. Mark has proven in a short time that he can lift them and it is definitely a partnership for the future."