Webber: Williams move a 'costly mistake'

The Australian had high hopes of scoring his maiden Formula One victory when he made the move from Jaguar Racing at the start of 2005, but his two years at the team delivered just one podium finish at Monaco last year.

After deciding to end his stint and join Red Bull Racing, Webber has now admitted that he was wrong to have ignored manager Flavio Briatore's advice not to sign for Williams.

"Flavio was never keen for me to go to Williams and I know I made a costly mistake by not listening to him," Webber was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

"He was very keen for me to go to Red Bull next season, so I wasn't going to ignore his advice a second time. It's a joint management decision and one we all think is the best option for my career. We've rolled the dice so now we just have to see how it tumbles."

Webber admits that the successes Williams enjoyed in the past proved a big attraction for him - and he was wrong to take that into consideration.

"I've learned that reputations mean nothing - that the past and history does absolutely nothing for you in the present," he said.

"It's very important to respect things that have happened in the past but as has been proved in the last couple of years, it is not an automatic guarantee for success.

"Smarter and cleverer people do (and will continue to) come along and do things differently and better. That's what Formula One is all about and it's vital you stay ahead of the game to be successful."

He added: "I think it's fairly safe to say that I won't be looking back at my two years with Williams with any fond memories.

"When I signed with the team, I was hoping to stay at Williams for a long, long time but it wasn't to be. Frank (Williams) will probably look back at me and think it wasn't successful either."