• United States Grand Prix

Tyres will be key to success in Austin - Webber

ESPN Staff
November 15, 2012 « Alonso believes he can still take the title | Third title 'would be incredible' - Vettel »
Mark Webber: "If the black things in the corners aren't working then you can put the layout up your arse" © Sutton Images
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Mark Webber believes temperatures and understanding the tyres will be the defining factor at the US Grand Prix this weekend, not whether the cars suit the layout of the track.

On paper the Circuit of the Americas appears to be well suited to the Red Bull, with fast sweeping corners in the first sector similar to the team's stomping grounds at Suzuka and Silverstone. But with cooler temperatures expected this weekend than at recent races and Pirelli supplying medium and hard compound tyres, Webber believes those factors will be the key to success.

"Temperature is very important, the layout isn't very important," he said. "If the black things in the corners aren't working then you can put the layout up your arse - the car's not going to work. The layout will not be too bad for us but temperatures and understanding the tyres will be important."

However, Webber is still confident Red Bull is going in to the weekend with a good chance of victory.

"The form card has been very strong. Qualifying was strong in Abu Dhabi, Suzuka we were on the front row and [Vettel] cleaned up and the other two races in Korea and India were very strong. The victories are there and that's the goal."

But he admits there are still weaknesses with the RB8, despite its recent run of strong results.

"The car's changed more than I've ever had it change over the course of the season, but only because it was very poor at the start of the season relative to where we could be. We've now improved the car well but people talk about it being the best car, and yes it's fast, but we've still got areas we need to work on, but we don't name them for general consumption."

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