By Steve
April 29 2003

In a recent interview Mark Webber discusses how various things have changed including relationships with other Formula One Drivers, since becoming more competitive. “They are not as friendly now” Mark says “we are not quite as bubbly as we were when I was driving for Minardi. They know now things are changing. I’ve got to carry myself a bit differently now. That’s how it’s got to be.”Mark says

On his recent qualifying performances, “Overall it was a big step in my career. It’s nice to know you can do it. Until you have done it there is always a bit of mystery about it.”

“It’s our qualifying performance which are keeping our chins well and truly up.

Mark also talked about Antonio Pizzonia's dramas, the rivalry between team mates and Pizzonia's abilities, “That’s what happens in Formula One. If at the next race Antonio blows me away, I wont be happy. It’s the same for Rubins and Michael and Ralf and Juan. You’ve got to compare yourself to the guy in the same machinery and what he’s doing with it. The ball’s in his court now. The talent is there, no question about it, but like in all sports, you’ve go to deliver on the day.”

Mark went on to discuss the teams improvements in pace and the cars reliability, “We’ve got to work on making the car a bit stronger. There are certain little areas which are biting us. Reliability has been disappointing. But this game’s all about performance.”

“We’ve done pretty well. We were three seconds faster than the (jaguar) R3 that went round Imola last year. No other team did that.”

“Take two of those seconds out and the team will be finishing races, but I don’t want to be finishing races two laps behind.”

"It’s a fine line. You want to have things designed to the edge. It can be frustrating but it’s also rewarding to know when the car is running well, we can do well and be inside the top ten. That’s not easy in this game.”

And on the increased pressure that comes with a bigger team and better performances “All of a sudden you get better and then you want a bit more and then you’re under more pressure....to get even better results”