Mark Webber is praying for a nice boring grand prix on Sunday as hopes of a maiden Formula One triumph may well rest on the weather
Mark Webber is praying for "a nice boring grand prix" on Sunday as hopes of a maiden Formula One triumph may well rest on the weather.
For the first time in 130 starts, Australian Webber will lead away the field at Germany's Nurburgring from pole position.
Webber on Saturday became the first Australian since Alan Jones at Hockenheim in 1980, the year he went on to win the world title, to claim pole.
The 32-year-old rightly hailed it as "a special day", but much will depend on the conditions as to whether he enjoys another tomorrow in his Red Bull.
Rain made the second period of qualifying chaotic, and with tyres struggling to work in miserable 12 degree temperatures, virtually every driver has found the past two days tough to deal with. With rain forecast, Webber's hopes of finally standing on the top step of the podium will arguably rely more on luck than judgment.
"I've been close to getting pole a few times in the past, and now we're here I'm in a fantastic position to get my first win," said Webber and added: "A nice boring grand prix for me would be fantastic. I'm looking forward to a dry day, but if it's wet then we're ready for all conditions.
Force India's Sutil to start seventhThe Force India Formula One Team will start the 2009 German Grand Prix from seventh position following a stunning performance from Adrian Sutil in Saturday's qualifying. The grid slot is the German's highest to date and marks the company's best starting position since Hungary 2002.
Giancarlo Fisichella endured a more difficult session and will start from 18th.