Trulli v Webber

[BootsOntheSide]

There's one thing which strikes me as odd between these two. Both are famed above all for their great qualifying displays, especially the old one-lap showings. However, our views of Trulli seem to be dominated by his comparatively poor race drives, whereas for Webber we concentrate on the qualifying runs.

As examples, after Silverstone last year no one gave Trulli any credit for qualifying an ill-suited car on the front row - we slagged him off for fading to 6th. Conversely, at Hungary Webber was hyped for strating 3rd and running 2nd for a while - yet he only finished 7th, held up a string of cars (effectively cementing Alonso's win), and only took second thanks to the clean/dirty grid side disparity.

Also, Flavio had the choice between them, having both in his driver roster, and the resources to pay jarno off if he considers Webber to be the better choice - but he doesn't, despite close knowledge of both drivers.

Of course, Jarno has a better car, but we don't really know by how much, thanks to Jaguar's inability to run 2 cars evenly. I'm not saying that Mark isn't a great prospect, or that Trulli is a potential champion, but I'm not sure there's a massive difference between them yet.

[santori]

Yeah, I agree. I rate them about the same. So much is perception.

[Cadete]

In racing talent I would rate them about equal, maybe Webber a bit higher, but in the capacity to lead a team, Webber would win by a large margin.

[Mr V]

I think that Webber is the better driver personally.

[ralf fan]

Webber is better IMHO... beat Trulli several times last year in an inferior car....
Trulli never seems to get it in the main sessions... got several Friday poles last year only to turn them into insignificant grid slots..

[ASCII Man]

Webber is a lot better than Trulli IMO.
Can't accuse me of bias cause i don't give a rats ass about either one of them.

[Knowlesy]

They're similar in raw speed, but Webber's racecraft and team play are infinitely better IMO.

[Raven]

As an overall package, Webber a bit better than Trulli. Alonso better than both.

[beau]

Trulli better than Webbeer by a bit.

[Don K]

Hard to say.

Both of them seem to be talented.

Both of them have shown they can score points in inferior cars.

Trulli has shown he can score podiums in mid-grid teams.
Webber hasn't had a chance to drive for those teams yet.

Neither of them has had a chance in a top team.

---

At this point, Trulli has had better results.

On the other hand, Webber is two years younger.
That might be significant, as both of them already belong to the older half of the grid.

[golem]

Sorry, Today, in a car that was capable of beating the Williams, Trulli today wasn't getting away very fast from Webber. So, at melbourne, Mark 1 Trulli 0 from my perspective. Roll on Malaysia, I hope Trulli can revv it up. I want to see Renault challange those red cars!

[Gt_R]

I'd rate Webber ahead of Trulli. In outright speed, perhaps both drivers are equal, in qualifying both are impressive. But what makes Webber so much better is that his ability to pull his team around him and the work rate.

Renault under Flavio works in the manner of having one star driver lead the team. Hence, in that sense, Trulli is the perfect partner for Alonso (the star). In the future, Flavio would have little worries as he had the option to lose either Webber to Williams or Alonso to Ferrari.

[MRJUCY]

I think Webber is better by a country mile when you consider how close he gets to Trulli with a much inferior car.

[twig]

To be fair to Trulli, today he complained of having damage to the rear of his car after copping a hit in the rear at the first corner.

But Webber is better than Trulli. He is great in the car, qualifying is good, and in races, for a car which isnt that good over the race distances, he seems very steady. He seems to also have a Schumi-esque style of bringing the team around him, although maybe not to the same extent.

[Mattracer]

The race is on between Button and Webber to be in a Williams seat for '05. Tulli and Webber is close on qual but in the race Webber is more calm and measured in his approach while the car stays together.

[golem]

Ahh, did read that too just now. Roll on Malaysia I guess.

[O'Schumacher]

I rated Webber better by a bit. Arguably he was more impressive in his Minardi days than Trulli (the only real comparison we have). We can't compare them by team-mates either. Here's why:

Trulli: Webber:

Katayama Yoong
Nakano Davidson
Panis Pizzonia
Frentzen Wilson
Alesi Klien
Button
Alonso

No disrespect to Wilson or Pizzonia, but until we see Marky boy up against someone the quality of Alesi or Alsono, we can't really compare. Maybe next year, when he goes to Williams (alongside Scott Dixon I reckon).

[Wrex]

Boots, I sometimes wonder if you watch the races or just read the results.

Forgetting the Trulli comparison (as I like him as well), I think you will find both Webbers strong qualifying and weaker races are more car related than anything else.

The 2003 Jag was clearly a quick car when it was light, and in Webbers (usually) faultless hands he flattered it further. However when fuel was added, it was a dog. Pizzonia and Wilson's time also dropped significantly from qualifying trim on Fridays, but less noticed at the rear of the field.

To continue our history lesson, return to 2002 at Minardi. Marks race performance were always impressive considering the car he was in. If you care to go back further you will find similar results at Mercedes and back in Oz in FF.

One habit I picked up a while ago, was saving threads that had posts that made me chuckle and would make for good pie eating at a later date. IAYO made quiet the fool of himself, and even yourself Boots were quiet anti-Webber. I need'nt remind a few others here about the "Wilson will kick his ass" remarks.

The final irritation I have is the "he has'nt faced a good team-mate" comments. Hmm, he hardly chooses them, and I'm sure he would like to have someone else so he can prove his worth and not listen to that sort of cr@p.

I recall the same things said about a german fella that won today

Its possible he has no equal (that would be willing to step down to a Jag).

Do I subscribe to the "Webber will be WDC" beleif? No. He might, I hope so, its possible. But I would'nt say anyone WILL BE a WDC until they have done it. And certainly not when they have'nt won a race yet. For all we know he could get the Williams drive and fold like a cheap suite. I dont think so, but you never know.

Hmmm, back to Trulli for a second, unfortunatley for him, like Pizzonia, Wilson & even Rubins, he is sitting in the wrong seat at the wrong time. Alonso is something special, and that will always take the shine off any good results.

[Meroo]

Currently, MW slightly on top.

[fog_shadow]

no contest. webber is by far the best.

[climb]

Originally posted by beau
Trulli better than Webbeer by a bit.

Ditto.
Webber seems to have something more than Trulli, but both still have to disclose their talent via consistent performances.

[RWC]

Maybe trulli could keep up with or even beat mark on occasion but mark has that thing that i REALLY admire in a driver-the ability to do above average in any car,any situation

[BootsOntheSide]

It's not Webber's fault that he's had a lack of quality team-mates ready to challenge him, but it does call his exact ability into question. The 2003 Jaguar is widely seen as being better than the 2003 car, yet Eddie Irvine did more than Webber. If both had been teamed at Jaguar last year, I think they'd've had a good duel, and Mark would've learnt more (that's the other side of things; Mark's pretty much had to teach himself along the way)

[Onlooker]

Williams are no dills and I am yet to hear them show any interest in trying to get young Trulli to sign a cantract with them for 2005,just Webbers name keeps popping up,why is that I wonder,are Williams a bit dense or is Trulli not of any interest to them.

[webber14]

WEBBER rules. Not just because of his qualifying.Yet to have a competitive car, has a gremlin virtually every race, but still able to finish in the points frequently. His performance at melbourne speaks for himself. Was lapping quicker than monty until the gearbox kicked in.