Mark Webber

In 1985 Mansell secured his first GP win, this was achieved after a good run claiming two second place finishes, Mansell was 32 years old at the time. From there his career took off leading to a world title in 1992 and success in the US Cart series.

Step up Mark Webber aged 33 and who has just taken his maiden victory. Many people have already analysed the similarities of both these drivers. Many believe this victory will be the start of a successful career for Mark Webber. Personally I hope so, for Formula One needs it so badly. The true comparison that can be made and indeed the only one, is the patience both these drivers showed. I believe you can never compare sport people from different eras, the changes are too much. Mansell never gave up and kept chasing, determined to achieve the ultimate goal. Mark has shown the same attributes, determination, strong willed and above all patience.

Both these drivers where expected to win, we all saw there talent, we all knew they were fast and will all knew they had the skill. For whatever reasons they both had to wait for the their maiden victory. You always felt Mark would finish his career being remembered as an unlucky driver. But Mark seems to have extraordinary mental strength. He has an inner belief in himself that appears to drive him on. Mark new the win would come, he new he had the car, so the pressure was on to get the win. He also had the team around him to deliver on that victory. Marks Red Bull pit crew played a vital part in his victory.

Sometimes when a sports person need to succeed they try to hard, the harder they try the worse it gets. Most soccer strikers go thru a goal scoring drought, they try everything, train harder, shoot from further out, go for every ball. In most cases the drought is ended with a fluke, a miss kick, a fumble over the line. Mark could have done this, but he didn't, he never over drove the car, never tried to break later, never went for foolish overtaking moves. He kept going as he was, patience is a virtue and Mark has it. With patience and the belief he knew he would win, and with this Mark finally stood on the top step of the podium.

Formula One has lost some of its appeal in recent years, sex, drugs and rock and roll image has gone, the drivers are now super fit clinical machines. Today’s drivers are designed and engineered with the same precision as the car. Raikkonen won the world title, most people had to do a double take, and ask themselves how, why and what the hell. The most boring man in Formula, won the title in the most boring of manner. Hamilton won the title with a degree of excitement, mainly thanks to Masa, but Hamilton has been groomed and engineered since birth to win the title. Schumacher, well he just won, it became the norm.

This year Button, Vettel and Webber fight for the title. Red Bull are on a charge and Brawn have stumbled a little but what a start to the season. For a long time F1 has three drivers, each with their own path to F1. They show great emotion and delight in achieving victory. Vessel aside, Mark and Button have been around. Button has spent years in the dog house, Mark the unlikely lad, now they have it in their grasp a World Title. We finally have fight in F1, with drivers that are human, un-engineered, emotional, drivers who are well, ordinary guys with a great job.

Webber is not Mansell, Button not a useless driver, they've final got what patience brings a crack at something big, a chance to find glory. The question is which one, the answer I hope will be Webber, why, because if I was to go to the pub with either of these guys, it would have to be Mark. Both have shown what patience brings, backed by determination and self belief.

The absoulute need to be a success has seen many sport persons end their careers early. Young female tennis players are falling by the waste side, soccer players reach burn out at 28 - 29 years old, but with a degree of patience and the belief in your abilities, success will come to those who wait.