Date of birth : 27 August 1976
Birthplace : Queanbeyan
Marital status : Single
Height : 185 cm
Weight : 75 kg

Wins : 0
Points scored : 2
Number of GP : 16
Pole Position : 0
Podiums : 0
First GP : 2002 (Melbourne)
Best result : 5




P R O F I L E

Mark Webber breaks into formula1 this season, courtesy of the Minardi team, after two years acting as a test driver for Benetton.

The Australian had been confirmed for a third year's testing with the team (now owned by Renault), but it was announced late last year that up-and-coming star and Flavio Briatore protégé Fernando Alonso would be taking on this role.

Webber, who also has his business affairs managed by Briatore, then became the hot favourite for Minardi's final seat and it is fitting that he makes his debut in the sport with an Australian-owned team. The first anitpodean to do so since Tim Schenken in 1971.

Prior to this, Webber had been making his name in Sportscars and was particularly well known for Mercedes' difficult attempt at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1999, when their cars flipped at high speed several times.

Webber's car somersaulted twice, before team mate Peter Dumbrek literally took off and flew out of the circuit to land in the surrounding forest. Luckily both drivers were unharmed.

The 25-year-old has become a familiar face in the paddock, after several seasons attending races both on behalf of Benetton and in an attempt to secure his entry into the upper echelon of open-wheel motor racing.

In 2001, Webber scored wins at Imola, Monaco and Magny Cours and finished runner-up in the F3000 series while, in between races, he tested extensively for the Benetton Renault F1 team and contributed towards the team's end-of-season performance boost. Webber completed the long haul to Formula One in 2002 when he joined the Minardi team. In his debut race in front of home fans, Mark drove the PS02 to fifth place and two points. The crowd went wild and it was a moment the young Aussie will never forget. 

Sadly, no further points were forthcoming in 2002, however he put in a brilliant performance at the Monaco GP, one that didn't go unnoticed, especially by team bosses at Jaguar Racing. They soon signed Mark up for 2003 where he will partner Antonio Pizzonia. 




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