Webber and Ricciardo: Crossed Destinies?

If Australia holds a strong position in F1 statistics, with two world champions and three Grand Prix winners, it remains true that few Australian drivers have made their mark in Formula One. Thus, before Mark Webber made his debut in 2002, Australia had only one representative since Alan Jones retired in 1986, namely David Brabham, who started 8 Grand Prix races in 1990 before completing a full season for the Simtek team in 1994.

Politically and financially, it’s more difficult for us to reach the highest level in motorsport, explains Mark Webber. Obviously, Jack Brabham opened some doors and made things easier for drivers like Alan Jones, but it remains challenging. It’s not like Tennis or Cricket; motorsport is not as important here as it can be elsewhere, and there are no real opportunities [in single-seaters] in Australia, so you have to leave. Motorsport is expensive, but at the other end of the world, it’s even more so. Financially and emotionally, it’s tough.

« There are sponsors, but [in my early days], if it was me against a German driver for a seat, I could forget about it » laments the Red Bull driver.

A fan of Alain Prost—just like his father—before rediscovering Ayrton Senna upon his death, Mark Webber began his young career in motorbiking before switching to four wheels in karting at the age of 14. After winning the New South Wales Championship in 1993, he made his debut in Australian Formula Ford and claimed victory at the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch in 1995 during his European debut. Despite the support of the Australian Yellow Pages and a good reputation, the Australian struggled to secure his budget in Formula 3 and had to rely on the support of Australian rugby legend David Campese to finish his season. Admitting to not having a real career plan at the time, the Australian succumbed to the allure of Mercedes for their touring program before finally getting his chance in Formula One, thanks to the support of Paul Stoddart.

For Daniel Ricciardo, although his beginnings were eased within the Red Bull program, the pressure remains the same: « There is always the pressure of feeling Dr. [Helmut] Marko’s breath on your neck. Even before I received support from Red Bull, it was my father or my sponsors pushing me in that way. »

As Mark said, leaving home at 17 and going to the other side of the world is not easy. You feel homesick at first, but after a few months, and while you’re doing something you love, you forget about those things you might miss, says Ricciardo.

Today, as Daniel Ricciardo knocks on the door of Formula One, Mark Webber has finally found success there, to the point of being one of the most serious contenders for the title in 2010. The 34-year-old Australian could legitimately consider retirement, as some have been suggesting for several months, and thus make way for Daniel Ricciardo: but is he really considering it?

« I have probably been close a few times but in recent years, the flame has been rekindled and as long as the desire, the results, and the motivation are there, I will continue. […] Now, I am the only Australian driver to have been in Formula One this past decade, so when a younger driver appears, there are comparisons and theories that make Daniel my successor. […] Maybe it will happen that way, or maybe we will coexist for two or three years. Maybe he will drive later this season and we will both be on the grid at the same time in 2011. »

In 2011, Daniel Ricciardo was ‘promoted’ as the third driver for Red Bull’s junior team: Scuderia Toro Rosso. A step back, some might say, but an opportunity for the young Australian to showcase his talent on Friday mornings throughout the season, which seemed unthinkable at Red Bull.

“It’s a sensational opportunity for him, but he truly deserved it,” says Mark Webber, who, like his young compatriot, made his debut at Faenza when the team still carried the name given by Giancarlo Minardi. “Obviously, there’s the time spent on track, but he will also be able to see how the team operates. With us last season, he got to see how a team fighting for victory works, and now he’s going to have a different perspective.”

For the Formula Renault 3.5 runner-up, this position as third driver is an opportunity he intends to fully take advantage of: « I don’t think being cautious with Sebastien [Buemi]’s or Jaime [Alguersuari]’s car will be one of my concerns. I think Toro Rosso will want me to get the maximum out of it. […] The fact that it’s ‘only’ free practice is not relevant. For me, it will feel real because I will be on track with guys I’ve been watching race for 15 years. As Mark said, it will be good preparation for the future. »

But for many observers, the presence of the young Australian driver casts a sword of Damocles over the heads of the two titleholders of Scuderia Toro Rosso and would partly explain the recent tensions between the Swiss and the Spaniard. However, Ricciardo is more reserved: « I don’t see why there would be such tensions. As far as it concerns me, my job is to drive to the best of my abilities during the first practice session. »

Whatever happens, the Perth native remains in a good position for a full-time seat in 2012, as Mark Webber recently announced his intention to stay with Red Bull, allowing Formula One to have two Australian drivers, something that hasn’t been seen since the Austrian Grand Prix in 1977.