Thousands of Aussies today are likely to feel peeved that Mark Webber’s shot at F1 glory was stolen by the anointed one - Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel.
As Red Bull’s designated No. 1 driver, Vettel had all the backing in the world to make the Formula One title his own.
Vettel, at 23, is the youngest driver to win an F1 championship after defeating the class field in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix overnight.
His win is viewed as political, for those convinced that Red Bull’s bosses wanted their “golden boy” to claim the prestigious title.
It’s political when you have a promising driver being thrust into F1’s centre stage and given one of the best engines ever made for the track.
As No. 2 driver, Webber was clearly frustrated he wasn’t Red Bull’s favourite.
His anger drove him to stunning victories this year - the most memorable in Silverstone when after his win he said: “Not bad for a No. 2 driver”.
Webber was seething for most of the year, and fuelled with anger, he won four races in Spain, Monaco, Britain and Hungary.
Webber finished third in the drivers’ championship, behind Vettel and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.
Webber has battled like no other, inching his way to the top with the odds stacked against him. Webber’s setbacks - and good times - have shaped his character over years of hard yakka.
If anyone deserved the F1 world championship, it was Webber - the down-to-earth guy from Queanbeyan.
The resilient Aussie has clocked up the hard yards, and reached the pinnacle of elite motor racing.
Webber is determined, focused and competitive with a passion so intense that he appeared at loggerheads with his rival, Vettel, for months.
The politics of F1 has meant the anointed drivers have a clear advantage – mechanically and tactically it’s not an equal playing field – and the drivers must feel some resentment.
Taking nothing away from Vettel’s obvious talent and skill, the drivers with the superior gear and the superiors behind them are more likely to reap rewards.
A driver of Webber’s calibre should be given every chance to reach his potential. Webber deserves an environment that allows him to discover his threshold in Formula One.
Will Webber stick with Red Bull or will another team give him his dream shot? Webber is a fighter and will bounce back, although his disappointment of finishing third is shattering.
Webber’s hunger will dictate his future path.
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