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Well played, Mark ... Webber looks like a natural with a cricket bat. Source: Punit Paranjpe / AAP
Reeling in Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel will be a challenge.
But Mark Webber faced a much more daunting task on Thursday (AEDT) - appeasing India's press over the fallout from Sachin Tendulkar's Order of Australia nod.
Webber was at his aggressive best when asked about his prospects ahead of this weekend's Indian Grand Prix in New Delhi barely a fortnight after placing second in the last round in Korea, his first podium finish since July.
The Australian driver is fifth in the standings (152 points) behind two-time defending champion Vettel (215) with four rounds left.
But he quickly launched a charm offensive when Indian reporters demanded answers following the luke-warm reaction in Australia to Prime Minister Julia Gillard adding "AM" after Tendulkar's name.
"If we can give it to (West Indies' Brian) Lara then Tendulkar certainly deserves it," Webber said at a press conference attended by Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir.
"Sachin Tendulkar has just been an incredible cricketer and one of the most amazing sportspersons the world has seen.
"Australians have utmost respect for him.
"The government, the people, everyone respects him.
"He has set a very high benchmark for every other Indian cricketer and every young player looks up to him."
Webber won't be so charitable at the Buddh International Circuit this weekend.
Clutch problems all but ensured pole-sitter Webber was relegated to second at the recent Korean Grand Prix at Yeongam - but the Australian vowed to not die wondering at New Delhi.
| Driver | Team | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sebastian Vettel (GER) | Red Bull | 215 |
| 2 | Fernando Alonso (ESP) | Ferrari | 209 |
| 3 | Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) | Lotus | 167 |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton (GBR) | McLaren | 153 |
| 5 | Mark Webber (AUS) | Red Bull | 152 |
| 6 | Jenson Button (GBR) | McLaren | 131 |
| 7 | Nico Rosberg (GER) | Mercedes | 93 |
| 8 | Romain Grosjean (FRA) | Lotus | 88 |
| 9 | Felipe Massa (BRA) | Ferrari | 81 |
| 10 | Sergio Perez (MEX) | Sauber | 66 |
| 11 | Kamui Kobayashi (JPN) | Sauber | 50 |
| 12 | Nico Hulkenburg (GER) | Force India | 45 |
| 13 | Paul di Resta (GBR) | Force India | 44 |
| 14 | Michael Schumacher (GER) | Mercedes | 43 |
| 15 | Pastor Maldonado (VEN) | Williams | 33 |
| 16 | Bruno Senna (BRA) | Williams | 25 |
| 17 | Jean Eric Vergne (FRA) | Toro Rosso | 12 |
| 18 | Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) | Toro Rosso | 9 |
| 19 | Timo Glock (GER) | Marussia F1 | 0 |
| 20 | Heikki Kovalainen (FIN) | Carterham | 0 |
| 21 | Vitaly Petrov (RUS) | Carterham | 0 |
| 22 | Jerome d'Ambrosio (BEL) | Lotus | 0 |
| 23 | Charles Pic (FRA) | Marussia F1 | 0 |
| 24 | Narain Karthikeyan (IND) | HRT F1 | 0 |
| 25 | Pedro de la Rosa (ESP) | HRT F1 | 0 |
Especially after Red Bull boss Christian Horner ruled out imposing team orders forcing Webber to support Vettel's championship bid.
"I would love to win races and improve my position on the championship table as much as possible," said Webber, who is only a mathematical chance of claiming a maiden championship.
"Our goal is to challenge for victories and we are capable of doing that.
"We are off the back of a very strong performance as a team but we don't rest at all.
"We are prepared to push ourselves to the limits starting from Friday to get the right result come Sunday."
Vettel is in the box seat to clinch championship No.3 after leapfrogging Ferrari's Fernando Alonso (209pts) to top the drivers' standings following wins in his last three races.
The championship looks like a two-vehicle race with Alonso after McLaren threats Lewis Hamilton (10th) and Jenson Button (DNF) had shockers at Yeongam.
Webber curiously talked up Alonso's title chances on Thursday.
"I think Alonso has a good chance of winning the title," he said.
"With four races to go both Sebastian and Alonso have many points left to bag - it is still very open.
"Anything can happen.
"We could have a wet race in (the season finale in) Brazil. It's not over 'til it is over."
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