It takes just two days for Mark Webber to go from nearly-a-winner in the 2010 Formula One world championship to a dominant winner in the Spanish Grand Prix. He slaps his rivals through qualifying at Catalunya and then drives away from them on Sunday afternoon.
"It was my day today. It was a special victory. The first one is good but this one is right up there with it," says Webber. Those two days of work also instal Webber as one of the favourites for this year's world title, as he and Sebastian Vettel share a Red Bull racer that is now clearly the fastest car in the field and unlikely to be threatened through 2010.
Two days at home last week also brings a staggering contrast between two new cars: the latest Mazda2 and the new Volkswagen Polo. I am impressed by Mazda's decision to price the new Two from $16,990 driveaway, even if the cosmetic and mechanical changes for 2010 are pretty minor. The car always drove well enough and the update is good for the class, although not a sharp as the Ford Fiesta and not as quiet overall as I had hoped.
The new Mazda2 also picks up a sedan for the family, which could give a showroom edge. Then I drive the Polo - and realise the rules have changed. The new Volkswagen baby is a mini-Golf and clearly the best in the class, even ahead of my previous personal favourite, the Fiesta. It's even priced well, with a $16,690 bottom line for the basic three-door car.
What makes the Polo so good is a quality feel, solid driving dynamics, and the sort of safety - six airbags, anti-skid brakes and ESP - which should be standard in every new car today. Carsguide readers continue to question Volkswagen quality, and the spate of engine failures in the Golf is a big worry, but when it has cars as good as the new Polo it should be strong for the long haul.
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