Key Moments: Monaco Grand Prix 2010

Key Moments: Monaco Grand Prix

For the second time in eight days Mark Webber has led every lap of a Grand Prix to secure a commanding Formula One race victory. The Australian crushed the opposition at Monaco with another brilliant performance and now leads the World Championship standings from Sebastian Vettel.

Webber gave himself a great chance of victory at the start of the race by converting his pole position into first place, but it was much easier to defend his lead at Monaco than it was in Spain last weekend. Unlike the long run towards turn one at Barcelona, the first corner at Monte Carlo is easy to cover and Mark simply had to keep to the right hand side.

Webber really earned his victory during a few other key moments in the race.

RESTARTS ON LAPS 34 AND 45

Webber was consistently quicker than his closest rivals but his lead was ruined on three occasions by the Safety Car. The first of those interruptions on lap one did not hand Mark such a big penalty, but the second and third caution periods cost him dearly.

The best chance for anyone to get ahead of Webber was immediately after a Safety Car period. It was under this pressure that Mark was at his strongest.

When the second Safety Car was released for Barrichello’s accident on lap 31, Webber's 15 second lead was reduced to nothing. However, he pulled out 1.1 seconds on the first lap after the restart, and another 1.2 seconds over the next two laps. He did not give Sebastian Vettel or Robert Kubica the chance to place him under any serious pressure.

The same situation occurred on lap 43 when the Safety Car was deployed due to an errant drain cover. On this occasion, Webber pulled away by almost 2 seconds immediately after the restart, and continued extending that lead over the next four laps.

Mark's fast laps on cold tyres gave him a crucial advantage when it counted and set him up for the win.

LAPS 68-70

In the late stages of the race Webber had built up a comfortable lead over Sebastian Vettel and was able to control his run to the chequered flag.

Vettel wasn't going to make it easy though and tried to pressure his teammate as the end drew near. Between laps 64 and 67, Vettel carved two seconds out of Webber’s lead and started making it harder for the Australian to play it safe in traffic and nurse his car to the finish.

Mark responded with three super quick laps, and not only stopped Vettel from closing in, but actually increased the gap between the two Red Bull cars. It was enough to defuse the challenge from behind and keep him in control of the race finish.

Webber managed his lead well in the final laps and repelled the pressure from Sebastian Vettel. That, combined with his quick laps after the restarts, earned him a brilliant Monaco victory.

The Australian is now a genuine contender for the World Championship and will be aiming to continue his stunning form at the Turkish Grand Prix.

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Posted by Martin Porter. - Follow him on twitter @mpondaweb.

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Last Comment Posted »

• I really am super impressed with Webber, if this run goes on for a few more races what a turn around it would be at Red Bull!

  I'm just desperate...
  by Jimmy@enterF1
  [ click here to read in full ]