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Mark Webber wins rookie of the year

Autosport.com's readers have voted Mark Webber as the best rookie in an international motorsport category of 2002

The Australian beat the likes of fellow Formula 1 new boys Felipe Massa and Allan McNish to the prize after readers logged their votes on the website.

His headline-grabbing fifth place in his first grand prix in Melbourne proved to be Webber's big moment of the year. That result, combined with a mature first year in the lowly Minardi team, brought him the reward of a Jaguar drive for 2003.

Webber received his prize from a former recipient Jenson Button at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Sunday night.

"Obviously Melbourne was a real highlight and good for the sport in general," said Webber. "It was a great weekend and my thanks go to Paul Stoddart for giving me the opportunity to race in F1 this year.

"As a first year driver there are a lot of uncharted waters even after testing and practice. It was not easy at times and I believe I am a stronger driver for it. I am now driving for a works team, whereas Minardi was a privateer, and they did an awesome job.

"But now the pressure is going to be higher and I'm looking forward to the challenge. Both Antonio Pizzonia and I have a lot of experience going into F1. We've taken four or five years to get there, which is a good thing when you finally arrive.

"Obviously Niki Lauda's departure came as a bit of a shock, but things can change very quickly in F1 and I am there to drive."

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