Webber Hoses Down Expectations of Hometown Win

Mark Webber has virtually given up hope of winning next weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix, despite the massive hype in his homeland about his switch to Williams.

Webber has been waiting a long time to have a real crack at winning his home grand prix and was hoping this would be the year after earning a Formula One drive for Williams, following a season with Minardi and two with Jaguar.

The 28-year-old Australian, who went for a high-speed spin on the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday as part of a publicity stunt beamed around the world, is resigned however to waiting at least another season because of aerodynamic problems with his new car.

Engineers have been working around the clock trying to iron out the problems and make the car go faster. But they concede that time has run out for next weekend's race.

"We realise we've got a lot of work to do and we're not going to be at the sharp end straight away," Williams technical director Sam Michael told reporters.

"It's a long season, it's 19 races, so we just want to come away with some points from Melbourne."

Webber, who caught the attention of the big teams when he piloted his Minardi to fifth place in Melbourne on his F1 debut three years ago, could not disguise his frustration.

"We're not happy," he said. "I'm a competitive person and to get beaten by other people, I don't enjoy that.

More Frustrating

"To do that in Australia is more frustrating but we've only got ourselves to blame. We could have very easily been in a much better position but we're not and there are no excuses for that."

Despite his frustration, Webber says it is not all doom and gloom because the new version is at least more reliable than last year's model, and he is still happy to be with Williams.

"I've come through different types of teams and Williams is a team I want to be at for a long time. When the chips are down that's when Williams operate at a high level and the opposition know that as well," he said.

"We are definitely more reliable than other teams, which is encouraging, although performance is something that you always want. I'd rather be fragile and fast than a little bit slow and bullet proof."

Webber said pre-season testing suggested Renault and McLaren were looming as the teams to beat this season, though Ferrari were still the favourites with world champion Michael Schumacher behind the wheel.

Ferrari have been slightly off the pace in testing but Webber said no one was reading anything in to that.

"The Renault looks quite fragile but very fast. McLaren look like they've done a good job and you can't underestimate Michael," Webber said.

"Michael's going to have to work hard. We know how motivated and professional he is. He's a legend of our sport and it's up to all of us to make it as hard as possible for him."