I really don't see Webber deserving much credit for this year. Decimated in qualifying by his team mate - to praise him for being the only person to outqualify Seb is generous given that he's also the only person to be in the same car - and his great drives have to be expected given that he is in the fastest car and his qualifying results haven't really reflected this, so he's likely to move forward in the race. China was the first race of this Pirelli era where we've seen someone in the fastest car, on the optimum strategy coming from that back to obliterate most of the field. He even said himself when an interviewer raved about his performance, that it wasn't as if he had magically found some more speed or determination - he admitted it was just a product of his fresh option tyres.
Webber looks like a beaten man to me, he's settled into the inevitability of getting beaten by Seb. I like Mark despite everything i've said. I really hoped coming into 2009 that he'd defeat Seb and prove how good I thought he was, but it wasn't to be - he's just not on the same level as him.
Yeah, Mark has had a pretty bad year so far. Red Bull are surely looking elsewhere now for a more consistent number 2 driver (or even maybe to try and run equal drivers). Surely the obvious sign is the continued delay on signing a new contract with Webber.
I think Mark blew his chance last year and I fear he won't get another one. But he should always find a place in a midfield team.
Some are suggesting Ferrari are looking at Webber but is he really much better than Massa? Not really.
For those who wish to defend Mark, you only need to look at McLaren or even (ironically) Ferrari who have much more consistent and competitive driver line-ups. Massa and Button are consistently close to their teammates (though Massa less so than Button, but still much more than Webber) sometimes even beating them.
Red Bull really need a driver who can at the very least pick up the pieces when Vettel isn't winning and can help tail-gun him to the title. Its no use qualifying behind Ferrari and McLaren and having to fight back to the front.
Its good to see Mark back on the front row finally though. But its not over yet and I fear he has already lost his chance with Red Bull at least.
The key part of the quote in my mind is;
From this I don't think replacing steering wheels would do any good.
Also later in the q&a is this.
(Whiting)
As has been pointed out to you earlier though, the FIA can and have missed potential loopholes or "interpretations" in the past. I don't see how that rule you refer to stops the teams from replacing steering wheels which contain different engine maps, it merely says the steering wheels themselves can only make slight adjustments.
So you could make slight adjustments to the engine maps on the steering wheel..but that doesn't necessarily mean the engine maps on both steering wheels are the same. Just that you can only make slight adjustments when using the wheel.
What Charlie Whiting wants to see and what actually happens are not always the same thing..hence the change in rules half way through the season.
