Webber says consideration of F1 legacy has helped fuel desire for future success

The Australian, at 35 one of the elder statesmen of this year's grid, currently sits second in the world championship, 40 points down on Fernando Alonso.

While therefore in the hunt for the championship, Webber admitted his desire for victory was also symbiotic with a desire to cement his standing in F1 history. His total of nine victories puts him 33rd in the all-time list of grand prix winners, ahead of past world champions like John Surtees and Keke Rosberg.

"It's human nature to always want more," Webber told AUTOSPORT when asked if he felt a compulsion to win more before retiring. "You never think you have more wins than some world champions, but that's the way it is.

"Would you have one win and one world championship? Well, probably yes, but I have nine wins and of course I want to get more wins, and let's see what happens with the big stuff later on.

"Ultimately, I've been very proud of what I've achieved - you always want more, that's normal. When I left Australia to have what I would call a reasonable career in Formula One, that was something which wasn't a guarantee when I left, so I think I've got what I deserved.

"I've chipped away and boxed at it, we've had some ups and downs; and to improve my statistics is in my hands. I'm going to have to work very, very hard at it, but at the end of it all, the numbers don't lie.

"I am at a world class team, and we have a great chance to improve many, many statistics and that's what I want to do."