• Webber makes statement at Silverstone

  • By Tom McKean | July 14, 2010 10:22:05 AM PDT

There's nothing like a win to make the strongest statement possible.

Red Bull continues to be the center of attention in the Formula One world, and Silverstone was no exception. Mark Webber was clearly motivated to win Sunday after he saw his state-of-the-art front wing transferred to teammate Sebastian Vettel's car before the race. Competing in Vettel's old chassis, Webber nevertheless dominated, and it was clear sailing after Vettel had to pit following his disastrous first lap.

In a week where even Red Bull boss Christian Horner predicted that the McLaren duo of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button might be facing a feud later this year, it is Red Bull that now must manage tempers. No doubt the team will do everything possible to maintain cool heads before it gets anywhere close to the likes of Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in 2007.

For Webber, it was his fifth career F1 win, nine shy of Jack Brabham's mark for most victories by an Australian driver. One must admire Webber's persistence, as after seven seasons without a victory to start his career, he's now firmly shed any winless notions. The Australian is one of only three drivers to win multiple F1 races after going winless in his first seven seasons, and he may match Rubens Barrichello's 11 wins sooner rather than later.

Most F1 wins by drivers winless in their first seven seasons
Rubens Barrichello -- 11
Mark Webber -- 5
Giancarlo Fisichella -- 3

Lost in the shuffle might possibly be the story of a man who saved his season. While Vettel found himself with his worst finish of the year, not including retirements, he battled back from a nightmare start to the race. After pitting early, Vettel was lapping in last position, but he did not pit for the rest of the day and eventually made his way back into the points. In the late stages, Vettel overtook Michael Schumacher and Adrian Sutil to earn six points. Considering that the World Championship has come down to a single point in two of the past three seasons, every place counts.

Hamilton's 2008 and 2010 numbers through 10 races
Category -- 2008 -- 2010
Wins -- 4 -- 2
Podiums -- 6 -- 6
Fastest laps -- 0 -- 2
Races earning points -- 7 -- 9

Hamilton was pleased with his runner-up finish Sunday, as he should be; his performance this season is rivaling his 2008 title campaign.

While Hamilton's win total is fewer, he's on pace in regard to podium finishes. He has posted more fastest race laps and been more consistent overall, earning points in nine of the first 10 races while avoiding a classified retirement (although he did not finish at Catalunya).

A driver who continues to impress has been Kamui Kobayashi. The Ferrari-powered Sauber has shown more reliability lately, and Kobayashi has taken advantage, finishing sixth at Silverstone after a seventh-place result at Valencia. It's an amazing turnaround considering the 23-year-old managed to complete just 19 laps in his first four grand prix events of 2010. Over his last four races, however, Kobayashi has compiled more points than Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa.

Hockenheim, site of the Grand Prix of Germany on July 25, will again favor the quick pace of Red Bull and McLaren. The old track was scary fast, even with chicanes, but the newer layout of this circuit still provides for very fast laps. It's a unique layout in regard to feel; when drivers exit the Mobil 1 turn, they come back into what feels like a stadium, with grandstands seemingly surrounding them. The old circuit played to this even more so, as drivers were sent out into the straights surrounded by dense forest, only to return each lap to see the spectators surrounding the start/finish area.

The track alternates with Nurburgring and has played host to some good battles throughout the years, including the duel between Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya in 2002.

Since Ferrari claimed the opening race in Bahrain, no other make aside from the Red Bull RB6 or McLaren MP4-25 has posted a win. The next several tracks play strongly to cars with outright pace, and the question remains as to whether any constructor aside from Red Bull or McLaren will win again this season.

Hockenheim, Hungaroring, Spa and Monza are circuits that all emphasize speed. Indeed, the best chance for another outfit to claim a win might be in late September on the streets of Singapore. That has to seem like a pretty dim prospect for the competition.


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