• Japanese Grand Prix - FP2

Webber dismisses Hamilton claim on Red Bull pace

Mark Webber: "The little tricks here and there in terms of the little mind games is not really going to touch the sides with us" © Sutton Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Report:
• Webber tops Friday practice ahead of Hamilton
  

• Race:
• Japanese Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Mark Webber

• Teams:
• Red Bull

Mark Webber has dismissed Lewis Hamilton's claim that Red Bull has the quickest car in the field despite topping the times in FP2 at Suzuka.

While Jenson Button was quickest in FP1 ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Red Bull responded in the afternoon session with Webber heading Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton had claimed on Thursday that he believes Red Bull has a slightly quicker car than McLaren, but Webber said McLaren's record of four consecutive pole positions from Hungary to Singapore shows that Hamilton's comments are just an attempt at mind games.

"I think if we go through the last five races of who's been on the front row then I think he knows that the little tricks here and there in terms of the little mind games is not really going to touch the sides with us," Webber said. "We know we've got work to do, they've got a strong car - as has we - but yeah I don't htink anyone's dominant at the moment; certainly not us."

Webber also said that he was pleased with his Friday running, with a "smooth" day resulting in a lot of productive data being acquired.

"Yeah, pretty happy with that. We executed most of the runs we wanted to do plan wise, so plenty to go through. It's a very challenging circuit in terms of balance; we've got a bit of work to do but it was a smooth Friday.

"We are pushing hard, the factory's really, really on it. But I don't think (we brought) a huge amount to be honest, it's just detailing, understanding a little bit of the stuff from Singapore as well and then circuit specific stuff; what we really need to put on the car for it to work around here and for us to have the confidence in it through the whole lap. In general it's not too bad, but we still have areas where we can improve the car for sure."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.