Former Sebastian Vettel teammate Mark Webber still stands behind Red Bull Racing, but admits the new Formula 1 rules changes have propelled Mercedes to the top of the competition.
The Aussie racing veteran took to Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast to discuss current Vettel teammate Daniel Ricciardo’s rejected Melbourne Grand Prix appeal and the sport’s recent technical changes after the 24-year-old was stripped of a podium finish in the season opener at Albert Park for breaching new fuel flow regulations that limits usage to 100kg (about 135 litres, 36 gallons) and a fuel flow limit of 100 kilos per hour.
Webber and Vettel’s up and down relationship was well documented during his six-year stint with Red Bull Racing, but he remains loyal to the team and is enjoying fellow Aussie Ricciardo‘s promising start.
“He’ll ride this out,” said Webber of the Ricciardo news. “It’s normal to have a bit of (bad luck) – well, not maybe so much in his first few events with the start to the season he’s had, but he’ll just knuckle down and get on with it.
“As a youngster coming in, I think they’re going to give him a great chance to do well and that’s what the team needs to do now,” the new Porsche World Endurance Championship driver continued.
Ricciardo’s form in his debut season has been nothing short of outstanding however Red Bull have struggled in the early going, registering just one Vettel third place finish from three GPs.
Red Bull Racing’s domination in previous seasons makes the 2014 poor start somewhat hard to stomach for fans, however it is easy to forget the team recorded its breakthrough Formula 1 win just five years ago in Shanghai in 2009.
“They’re not the benchmark either, anymore. The team’s under a little bit of heat early in the championship. They’re a quality team and they’ll be back, under the leadership of Adrian Newey – particularly on the design front.
“But Mercedes have got the run on them at the moment, with that car they’re doing well. So they need to work together as a team, for sure.”
Mercedes drivers Nico Rosberg (61) and Lewis Hamilton (50) currently lead the driver standings, a long way out ahead of German Nico Hulkenberg (Force India-Mercedes) on 28 points. Vettel is in sixth position with 23 points.
The Chinese Grand Prix kicks off on Friday April 18.
