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Webber the one to watch in 2011, says Stewart

Fraser Masefield
December 7, 2010 « Ferrari confirms Badoer exit | »

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button have the right tools at their disposal to mount a serious challenge on the title in 2011 but Mark Webber will be the man to watch next season.

That is the opinion of Sir Jackie Stewart, who thinks Webber's extra experience may be a telling factor.

"I think that Lewis and Jenson have the skills and are with the right team to do it," said Stewart at the BRDC Awards. "Both of them are capable of winning the world championship but I think that Mark Webber at 34 years of age has a good toolkit in his box, enormous experience, enormous knowledge as well as wisdom now."

Although Stewart is certain the 'exceptionally talented' Vettel will go on to be a multiple world champion, he fears that the stresses and strains that come with being champion at such a young age may have a negative effect.

"Vettel is now having to appear at all sorts of functions all around the world and that takes its toll on any racing driver. I've been there and when you are doing major commercial appearances on a global basis you tend to start the season probably as tired as you were when you finished the previous season so that sometimes takes the edge off a driver. Vettel is 23. I remember when I was 23 but I also remember when I was 34 and I was a different man.

"But don't ever count out Ferrari and don't ever count out Red Bull. While Adrian Newey is as focused as he is then I think you're going to see great motor cars coming out of his brain. And you can't count out Mercedes-Benz with Ross Brawn. Nico Rosberg has not won a grand prix yet, but I'm sure he will and Michael Schumacher surely wants to win another grand prix if not another world championship so I think it's a very exciting prospect."

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