• Spanish Grand Prix - FP2

'Tyres are a big factor here' - Webber

ESPNF1 Staff
May 20, 2011 « 'Four stops minimum' - Barrichello | »
Mark Webber: "We will be looking to manage them as best we can" © Sutton Images
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Mark Webber has pinpointed the tyres as a major factor at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.

Several drivers complained of a lack of grip from the new hard-compound Pirellis, which are sliding a lot and do not appear to be offering the extra life the Italian company had hoped. Webber, who set the fastest time in both morning and afternoon sessions, said that looking after the rubber would be crucial over the race weekend.

"Tyres are a big factor here, we know that, so we will be looking to manage them as best we can," he said. "It's always been a reasonable track for me here, with a good result last year, so I hope to keep that trend going this weekend."

After a number of problems with reliability during practice sessions this season, Webber said his 62 laps at the wheel on Friday had been very useful.

"The car ran well today; we've still got some work to do, but it was one of our better Fridays. It's the first time we've run the RB7 in Barcelona in these temperatures, so the team's learned quite a lot."

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