Webber Expects a Strong Race

The Australian, who is likely to be running with slightly less fuel than the cars around him, is aware that Williams are lacking on race pace compared to Renault and McLaren - but it does not mean he is expecting a slip down the order.

"Clearly the Renault and McLaren are strong, as has been shown in the last few races, but we are coming back and we can race given a good run," said Webber.

After a dramatic weekend for team, with BMW having to fly in brand new engines on Friday night because of a fault discovered in the old power-units at the track, Webber was clearly delighted with the prospect of a fight at the front.

"It is an amazing turnaround," he admitted. "BMW did an awesome job to get the stuff here, the team have put on some new aerodynamic bits, and it has been a huge weekend for the team. We are happy to be on the front row and I am looking forward to the race."

Williams co-owner Patrick Head hailed Webber's qualifying effort - and admitted that the Australian had done better than the team had expected.

"It was very clean but Mark's always been exceptional on one lap qualifying," he said. "Mark's lap was slightly ahead of our predictions."

Webber's delight was in clear contrast to teammate Nick Heidfeld's disappointment of having to start at the back of the grid following two engine changes this weekend.

The German, who had outpaced Webber in first qualifying, did not run in the second session at all.