Webber hoping for a boost in Shanghai

by Jack Lamure on Apr 15th, 2011

After a disappointing start to the season by his Red Bull team's standards Mark Webber is looking for a boost in this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix - and he's hoping it will come from a fully functional KERS system.

Whilst team-mate Sebastian Vettel has enjoyed a perfect beginning to 2011, with pole and race victory in both Australia and Malaysia, Webber has been less successful, finishing fifth in the season opener and fourth last weekend at Sepang.

But he is hopeful of bouncing back on Sunday, and sees KERS as key to his chances of a strong result. He has spoken of the system not working in Malaysia, and says he is keen to get it operating properly as soon as possible.

"Basically it didn’t work," said the Aussie. "I haven’t got a complete explanation yet but that doesn’t make a huge difference to me - I just want it to work really. There have been a lot of guys working on it and hopefully we will get it right this weekend.

"You need it everywhere you go," he continued. "It is essential everywhere there is a long straight - like here. And if you don’t have it, then for sure that is not a positive thing for you. So we are really pushing very hard to have it on the car. I hope I’ll have a Grand Prix with it working soon."

And when asked about his goal for this weekend's race Webber made his intentions clear, saying he'd be "trying to get some bubbles on the podium if I can." The 34-year-old began his quest for a top three finish with second to Vettel in this morning's first practice session before slipping to tenth in the afternoon run.