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Six Quick Questions - Mark Webber, F1


1. How is your motivation for the new season?

"Pretty high. It's always exceptionally eptionally high at this time of the year because you want to go into the season and improve on what you've done in the past.

"We've had a huge amount of changes over the winter. Everyone has changed engines, but at Williams we've changed engine companies and tyres, which is a big thing. And gearboxes and a few things like that.

"Formula One is a sport that's controlled by many other things, but you've got to do your absolute best. That's all you can do."

"I'm realistic. Don't think I'll be shattered if I'm not up at the very front but I'll still be doing the very best I can."

2. How to you feel about this year, compared with 2005?

"Very similar. The off-season has always been too long. Testing is nice, but I much prefer to go racing.

"Probably, on balance, I'm looking forward to this year a bit more than last year."

3. How has the new Williams been going in testing?

"I'd say pretty well. We've had a few reliability problems with the gearbox which has slowed us up a little but they are more just little frustrating things.

"If you look at the pace of the car, against some of the guys doing long runs, we don't have the outright pace at the moment. But it's always hard to know exactly where you are until you go to the first race.

"I think we are pretty hard on ourselves in testing. It's running well."

4. Which other teams and drivers have been going well?

"I think the Renaults are looking good. They are incredible.

"The latest test in Barcelona was pretty big and everyone was there except BMW and Ferrari, but the pace of the new Renault was exceptional.

They are massive favourites for a strong strart to the season. it's a long season but for the first few months they will be hard to beat."

5. Who do you think will be world champion?

"Fernando Alonso. That's it."

6. Last question, and the obvious one. Can you win your first F1 race this season?

"I think it's similar to last year, unfortunately.

I think I will need a bit of luck to get a win and II don't want to get lucky results. I want to get there on credit alone. To get a lucky first win would be a disappointment.

"To go out and do it absolutely on pace alone, it will be tough for us. If you we can do it with a bit of luck then I'll still be happy to take it."