Mark Webber's starts

Knowlesy · 17 Mar 2013, 13:04 (Ref:3219989)

Why is Mark so bad at these? This is his 12th season in F1 and he still can't get off the line.

Surely it is something that can be learned and the procedure doesn't change that much from year to year? It isn't a question of reactions because he just bogs the thing down half the time.

He must have lost hundreds of positions cumulatively over his career and, subsequently, points whilst he flounders in midfield.

Is it acceptable for someone to show such an inability to learn and progress in topline sport? I have literally never seen him make even an average start.

I'd hate to see him starting his road car on a cold morning.

andy666 · 17 Mar 2013, 14:01 (Ref:3220008)

Would love to pull up alongside him at the lights . Later that night in the pub "hey guess who I beat off the lights today ? "

JeremySmith · 17 Mar 2013, 14:49 (Ref:3220031)

I am perplexed as to why Mark struggles with his starts ?

Hawkwood · 17 Mar 2013, 15:15 (Ref:3220039)

Anthony Davidson gave (what sounded to me at any rate) a good explaination of today's bad start - letting the clutch go too early due to a bit of panic setting in.

Does he get bad starts when he's further back on the grid or only when he's at the front?

andy666 · 17 Mar 2013, 15:17 (Ref:3220040)

At the end of the race show this morning they said Mark had a software problem in the car which caused problems with clutch bite point at the start. Kers problems seem to plague him aswell , is a certain Dr having a little tinker with his car when nobody is about ?

Knowlesy · 17 Mar 2013, 15:21 (Ref:3220042)

Ah, the old 'software problem'.

andy666 · 17 Mar 2013, 15:29 (Ref:3220048)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Ah, the old 'software problem'.

Have his bad starts been blamed on "software problems" before then ?

Al Weyman · 17 Mar 2013, 16:16 (Ref:3220069)

He has always got some problem or other.

djinvicta · 17 Mar 2013, 16:41 (Ref:3220083)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

He has always got some problem or other.

Yeah Al, its called Marko, who flicks a switch!

p-matt · 17 Mar 2013, 17:05 (Ref:3220103)

Sticking Vergne in the car would help with the starts I'd imagine

Knowlesy · 17 Mar 2013, 17:14 (Ref:3220112)

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy666

Have his bad starts been blamed on "software problems" before then ?

Hehe, quite a few times.

Hesketh · 17 Mar 2013, 17:45 (Ref:3220123)

I say. I respect Mark and his career, but F1 doesn't need him anymore. To see him leaving the line in such an uninspired demeanour on the first race of the championship, in the best car, on his home turf was sad and a little irritating. Make room for younger, more driven and deserving pilots with no personal sponsor.

b1ackcr0w · 17 Mar 2013, 17:52 (Ref:3220129)

From what I understand, most drivers give a squirt of KERS before the first corner. Not having KERS would have made an average start look awful.

Joe Taylor · 17 Mar 2013, 17:58 (Ref:3220134)

He's always been awful at starts though, right back to the Jaguar and Williams days.

Flat Out Farr · 17 Mar 2013, 18:53 (Ref:3220155)

I have a simple solution for Mark.

Go and do a season of speed eventing ! That soon teaches you to get off the line correctly.

You only have to look at any grass roots race grid and it is quite easy to spot those drivers who came through the ranks via hillclimbing and sprinting.

b1ackcr0w · 17 Mar 2013, 18:58 (Ref:3220158)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flat Out Farr

I have a simple solution for Mark.

Go and do a season of speed eventing ! That soon teaches you to get off the line correctly.

You only have to look at any grass roots race grid and it is quite easy to spot those drivers who came through the ranks via hillclimbing and sprinting.

Indeed, Andy Priaulx built his touring car career on it.

deeks6 · 17 Mar 2013, 22:54 (Ref:3220273)

The best start he ever got was from P2 dirty side in the British GP after they gave his new wing to Seb. Maybe thats the strategy

... because, lets face it, 90% of his starts (right back to the Jag days) are total rubbish.

**gomick** · 18 Mar 2013, 00:55 (Ref:3220314)

In interviews he had with local media he said before the race that he & Vettel hadnt done anywhere near enough practice starts in testing - guess Vettel doesnt need the practice

& that on the grid he encountered launch/technical problems, then had no KERS

, very frustrating tho if you are a fan...

one five five · 18 Mar 2013, 02:50 (Ref:3220332)

While starts have never been his strong suit, i'm not sure why the opening poster has decided to have a rant based on what happened yesterday, particularly as Red Bull have come out and said it was a car problem and Webber wasn't to blame...

...but keep sticking the boot in at any opportunity

Casper · 18 Mar 2013, 08:03 (Ref:3220385)

He has a psychological problem with starts, he may deny it but anyone who has a repeated failure at the same thing then it becomes a mind problem. I reckon that when he retires and writes the obligatory book he will admit to it. He is not the first sports person to experience it and won't be the last.

Darcia1 · 18 Mar 2013, 11:03 (Ref:3220464)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flat Out Farr

I have a simple solution for Mark.

Go and do a season of speed eventing ! That soon teaches you to get off the line correctly.

You only have to look at any grass roots race grid and it is quite easy to spot those drivers who came through the ranks via hillclimbing and sprinting.

I totally agree he needs to get hold of Martin Groves or Scott Moran and get some start practice You cant use a simulator to get the feel you need

Tourer · 18 Mar 2013, 11:22 (Ref:3220475)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darcia1

I totally agree he needs to get hold of Martin Groves or Scott Moran and get some start practice You cant use a simulator to get the feel you need

I guess the problem with the speed eventing idea revolves around how many speed event cars use a two stage hand operated clutch.

Mark has a definite problem with his starts - no question about it. I can't for the life of me think why the team wouldn't spend some test time with him to get it resolved - he seems to jump as quickly as Seb but then just kinda bogs down so it looks like it's the second stage clutch point that's the issue. Very strange as Seb seems to get it right most of the time and Mark could surely learn from that technique.

dsg · 19 Mar 2013, 06:18 (Ref:3221011)

Lets look at this from a glass half full.

Most sportspeople choke at the end of an event. At least Webber has the whole race to try and catch up.

Mind you the guys behind him on the grid must on edge thinking do I swerve left or right as soon as the lights go out.

Malfunction Junction · 19 Mar 2013, 07:05 (Ref:3221017)

Yep, do some work with a coach and then get himself a straight line test day.

If he or the team feel it necessary, rinse and repeat.

Knowlesy · 19 Mar 2013, 10:48 (Ref:3221096)

Quote:

Originally Posted by one five five

While starts have never been his strong suit, i'm not sure why the opening poster has decided to have a rant based on what happened yesterday, particularly as Red Bull have come out and said it was a car problem and Webber wasn't to blame...

...but keep sticking the boot in at any opportunity

Well I must admit, I hadn't read any of the post race guff before posting but it looked to be a bad start anyways. The KERS issue just added to it.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mark Webber	Tiptop	Formula One	56	30 May 2004 12:28
Mark Webber	HRT 2001	Formula One	2	23 Jan 2002 06:45
Mark Webber	petrobras_babe	National & International Single Seaters	13	3 Sep 2001 16:04
Mark Webber	marcus	Formula One	1	8 Jul 2000 09:13