Winning formula

Interview: Heidi Mines

SoldierSport: You took part in the Army Cycling Union’s enduro challenge last year (right). How did that come about?

Mark Webber: I was scrolling through a few biking websites and came across details of the Army Cycling Union’s event. I wanted to give it a go because it was a good chance to go out with the guys from the factory who work very hard throughout the year. We have 600 people on our team and a few guys are really into mountain biking, so I said I would get us all away from motorsport for a weekend.

How did you get into motorsport?

My dad had a motorbike shop so I started off on those from a young age. I wasn’t really racing so much but just hanging out in the automotive industry and seeing how things worked. My friend had a few go-karts and from the age of 12-13 I got interested in racing those. That started back in 1991.

You’ve been quite unlucky with mechanical faults. Does it annoy you to see drivers in more reliable cars enjoying more success?

Formula One is the pinnacle of motorsport and there is no denying that it is a very, very tough category for any driver. It takes a lot of hard work to reach that level and when you do get there you need to have the very best equipment at your disposal.
I started in 2002 and have won quite a few championship points. I haven’t won a race yet but I have had a few successes along the way and 2008 has been one of the best seasons of my career. You need to be in a position where you can drive for one of the two top teams, but that’s very difficult because Ferrari and MacLaren are in good shape.
It’s hard to predict which team is going to be the best each year and looking back maybe I could have done things a bit differently, but overall I don’t have any regrets.
I’m still looking ahead, staying positive and working hard to get better results in the future.

Should Formula One adopt the A1 Grand Prix model and have identical cars for each team?

Not every team prepares their cars to the same level and some mechanics are better than others. That’s motorsport – there are always going to be smarter people that can get more out of the cars.
Motor racing is not like tennis or golf, it’s a bit like sailing where you have a lot of mechanical influences that affect the performance of the car or the bike.
I have done a lot of categories as a junior where you prove yourself by driving cars with very similar specifications. In Formula One you have to work to be in a position where you can drive one of the fastest.

Do you socialise with other drivers post-race?

We don’t see much of each other. The most we mix is on the Sunday morning before the race when we go to the driver’s parade. You have different pockets of drivers that don’t mind talking to each other. Of course not all of us get on, but professionally we do our job. Once the helmets are on, all of the friendships are put to the back.

What’s your favourite track on the Formula One circuit?

I like Spa in Belgium. It’s spectacular, very fast and flowing with lots of undulations, climbs and downhill sections. It’s amazing in an F1 car.
What’s the most difficult part of competing in Formula One?
Concentration is something that we are tested on quite heavily because we are expected to be able to focus on 13, 14, 15 corners every lap for 100 minutes and to push the cars to the limit the whole time. We also have to work with the pit crews to make sure things run smoothly. The heat can be a challenge too so it’s physical and mental.

What do you do when the car’s in the garage?

I like running, cycling, kayaking, boxing, whatever’s flavour of the month really. I like variety and keeping myself conditioned and I enjoy staying in shape as it helps my driving. I’ve also won the [Formula One] tennis tournament a few times, although F1 drivers aren’t renowned for their tennis skills.

What’s the worst crash you have ever experienced?

In 1999 I had a very big accident in a sports car in France. It was touch and go and could have gone either way for me. The car took off like an aeroplane at 200mph and I had no control whatsoever. I counted myself as very lucky to walk away from that one.
Crashes are part of the business and as long as you understand why it happened then it’s just a case of learning from it.

What do you drive on the road?

At the moment I’ve got a BMW X5 and a Renault Megane.

Any message for the men and women in the Army?

I’ve got plenty of friends in the military and while it’s not a thankless task, it is one that’s very important and incredibly serious. I take my hat off to the men and women that serve for us. I have a lot of time for them.

Rumour has it that you support AFC Sunderland. Why is that?

Yes it’s true and [former boss] Roy Keane is why. If you wanted to go to war with someone he would be a good guy to have on your side. I've never met the man but I'm definitely a fan.