Poor start ruins Webber´s day

18 March 2012 11:49

Mark Webber rued another slow start after finishing fourth at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Australian slipped from fifth to ninth after a poor start at Albert Park, but recovered to record his best finish at his home race.

The Red Bull driver had several issues off the start line throughout last year, and was left to lament the same problem again after the race in Melbourne.

"The result's OK. The performance? I could have had any result today if we performed better at certain periods - i.e. the first lap," Webber said.

"After the first lap, we were a match for anyone. We were very strong, very quick. I leave a bit frustrated but the frustration's a little higher because the positives eventually unravelled."

"It was like a boxer finishing well. S... first round, copped a few on the chin, then we finished off well."

Despite struggling during qualifying on Saturday, Red Bull managed to collect 30 points after Sebastian Vettel finished behind winner Jenson Button.

Webber said he would carry plenty of confidence into next Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix, but still questioned whether the Red Bull could perform during qualifying.

"Last night we were pretty concerned at the gap to the leaders. There's plenty to take out of it for the team," he said.

"In general, we have a huge amount of confidence to go to Malaysia with, which is very reassuring. Looking at Malaysia, the car should work pretty well on the Sunday again, but there's work to do on the Saturday."

Fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo finished ninth in his Toro Rosso to collect the first points of his Formula One career.

The 22-year-old capitalised on an eventful last lap to pick up two points, and said he could have recorded an even better result.

"It's good to finish ninth, but I think I could have done better because the car was very strong, given how fast it was even with the damage I had to carry through the whole race, with the car pulling to one side," Ricciardo said.

"It was not easy to come back, but I never gave up, pushing all the time. I'm extremely happy and it's great to score my first F1 points here at home in Australia, where the crowd has been just fantastic all weekend long."