Australian Formula One legend Jack Brabham has backed countryman Mark Webber to win this year’s world championship after back-to-back victories in Spain and Monaco, a report said on Tuesday.
Brabham said it “could be [Webber’s] year” after Sunday’s thrilling win propelled the Red Bull driver to the top of the standings, level on points with German teammate Sebastian Vettel.
Webber’s victory was the first by an Australian on Monaco’s demanding street circuit since three-time world champion Brabham’s triumph there in 1959.
“He never made a mistake, he did an absolutely fantastic job,” Brabham said, according to The Australian newspaper.
“I hope it could be his year. He has got himself together and done a good job and I think he might go well from here on.”
Webber has voiced optimism about the season, which Red Bull is dominating after the first six races.
“We need to keep focusing on what we are doing, keep our heads down and try and deliver the kind of performances we have delivered over the last couple of weekends — and the championships will take care of themselves,” he said.
Alan Jones, another Australian ex-world champion, said Webber was getting “better and better”.
“He whacked it on pole, he did a very good start, he withstood pressure several times on the restart which is always nerve-racking … so I think he did very well indeed,” Jones said. — AFP