• Monaco Grand Prix

Horner full of praise for 'mature' Webber

ESPN Staff
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Red Bull has secured pole position and victory at each of the last Monaco grands prix © Sutton Images
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Christian Horner praised Mark Webber's "great skill and maturity" after he won the Monaco Grand Prix for the second time in three years.

Webber led from pole and delivered a measured race to hold off a train of cars in changeable conditions. Despite track position being key in Monaco, Horner said that Webber was actually in the hardest place as the leader when it started to rain and praised the way that he dealt with the pressure from those behind.

"We knew the threat of rain was always coming and then it started spitting," Horner said. "I think the hardest position to be in is when you're leading a group - especially around Monaco - and it's starting to get slippy because everybody else can judge their amount of grip by what you're doing. But Mark was completely in control and drove with great skill and maturity to close out the win. It bunched up at the end there but he never put a wheel wrong all afternoon, so first and fourth was a really fantastic team result; our third consecutive victory in Monaco."

When asked which of the team's Monaco victories was the sweetest, Horner said they were all special.

"I think they all are sweet. The first one was pretty special, the second one was special as well and this one feels just as good to become triple winners in Monte Carlo. I don't think you do that by luck and Mark to become a double winner, he joins an elite group of double winners or multiple winners in Monaco and he really deserved it."

With Webber only signing one-year contracts at this stage of his career rumours have linked him with a move to Ferrari, but Horner said he saw no reason why he'd want to switch teams.

"I think Mark's had a great day today. He's driving really well, he's in great shape and you can see on a day like today that he's absolutely at the top of his game. We have a very open and straightforward relationship with Mark and today certainly doesn't change that, it's the same situation as the last few of years.

"Why would he want to leave? He's comfortable in the team, the team know Mark very well and Mark knows the team very well. We're only at race six, obviously a lot depends on his desire and motivation going forward which at the moment looks very clear. He's doing a great job, we're really happy with him."

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