Mark Webber man most likely: Bernie Ecclestone

BERNIE Ecclestone has tipped Mark Webber to be the man most likely to depose Red Bull team-mate Sebastien Vettel as world champion in 2012.

Ecclestone

BERNIE Ecclestone has tipped Mark Webber to be the man most likely to depose Red Bull team-mate Sebastien Vettel as world champion in 2012.

“I just hope, I really, really genuinely hope that Mark (Webber) has a good crack at the title this year because it would be nice to see,” the world Formula One world champion Ecclestone said.

"I even think perhaps, in a funny way, Sebastien would be happy as well if he (Webber) won the title provided he couldn't.

“I think Mark will be the guy who will threaten him if anybody,” Ecclestone said.

“The last time I spoke to him about it, he was really motivated. I think he (Webber) realises.

“I said to him `Sebastien is quick. You've got to be quicker. Kepp your head down and don't make mistakes and you could manage to get the job done.”

“Red Bull with both Mark Webber and Sebastien Vettel again appear to be the team to beat,” he said.

Ecclestone also showed a softer side to his nature in singling out the veteran German Michael Schumacher and Mercedes to have an improved season.

“I hope ‘Schue' does make it on the podium,” Ecclestone said.

The seven-time world champion has endured a drought since returning to F1 at the start of 2010.

In 38 races Schmacher has failed to make it once onto the podium.

The now 43-year-old had been tipped to walk away from the sport when his current contract expires at the end of this season.

But German newspaper Bild, is reporting Schumacher is to be offered a new deal which will keep behind the wheel of a “Silver Arrow” until the end of the 2014 season.

The German marque is under pressure this season after finishing a distant fourth behind Red Bull in last year's constructor' championship.

While Ecclestone was upbeat about Webber's chances to finally crack it for a world title, joining Sir Jack Brabham, a three-time winner, and Alan Jones, who won back in 1980, as the only Australians to have climbed to the top of motor sport's “highest peak,” he was not so certain about the future of Melbourne hosting a Grand Prix.

Ecclestone described the Melbourne event as: “least economically viable on the F1 calendar.”

“We have a contract in place until 2015 which we will respect,” Ecclestone said.

“After then, we really don't know. If we were to have a divorce from our friends in Melbourne we would probably be walking away from Australia.

“The race itself, is probably the least viable of all the races we have.

“But I can't see it going back to Adelaide or anywhere elese, if Melbourne can't. Personally, I'd rather not lose it on the calendar.”

The new F1 season starts with the Melbourne Grand Prix on March 18.