Mark Webber maintains ambition has not dimmed

MARK Webber says he's never been better prepared or hungrier for a another shot at winning the world Formula One championship.

270212Mark Webber

MARK Webber says he's never been better prepared or hungrier for a another shot at winning the world Formula One championship.

Webber is heading to Melbourne and the Australian F1 at Albert Park having ended last season with a win in Brazil.

But the driver he needs to chase down and pass is Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel as he looks to defend the F1 drivers and constructors championship double.

“I've never better prepared for the start of another long and gruelling campaign,” Webber said today.

“I'm part of a world championship winning team, so we know the bar is set high, but in good Red Bull spirit we are again very hungry and I'm very hungry.

“But we know that Mercedes need to win races this year, Ferrari would like to win races, McLaren want to win and we want to win.

“I can't wait to get to Melbourne to find out.”

Webber has spent 12 days testing the new Red Bull RB8 at Jerez and Barcelona in Spain.

“I was behind the wheel of the car for a total of 33 laps of both circuits, and while I would have liked to have drive a few more kilometres, I didn't miss too many targets,’’ he said.

“I believe Red Bull has put together a good new package more than capable of staying in front of the pack.

“I'm as hungry and as competitive as I've ever been.”

Webber will again be behind the wheel of the Red Bull “power pack” in Barcelona for four more days of testing starting March 1, before the teams head to Melbourne for the F1 season-opener in Melbourne on March 18.

 ”We're a very ambitious team, so we'll keep working on that,” Webber said.