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F1: Webber Dominates Practice In Malaysia

Mark Webber has taken his Red Bull car by the horns during practice at the Malaysian Grand Prix, dominating through both the P1 and P2 sessions.

Webber also dominated P1 in Melbourne last month, but Malayasia has been a different story, with the Au


Mark Webber has taken his Red Bull car by the horns during practice at the Malaysian Grand Prix, dominating through both the P1 and P2 sessions.

Webber also dominated P1 in Melbourne last month, but Malayasia has been a different story, with the Australian coming in a good 1.665s faster (1:37:651) than McLaren's Lewis Hamilton (1:39:316).

The theme continued in P2, with Webber pulling a 1:36:876 fastest lap, this time just holding back McLaren's Jenson Button (1:36:881) and Hamilton (1:37:010).

Last year's champion and Webber's teammate Vettel managed 17th spot in P1, but finished fourth quickest by the end of P2.

Webber's Car Troubles All Gone?

Mark wasn't in a talking mood at Sepang when asked about his problems in Australia two weeks ago.

"We are not going to go into it too much," he said.  "I am not going to make a meal of what happened in Melbourne, so let's talk about Malaysia."

Red Bull team figures have said some minor issues were found aboard the Australian's RB7 in Melbourne, after he so struggled to keep up with his teammate Sebastian Vettel.

Team boss Christian Horner said the biggest potential issue was with a rear damper, but he insisted it is not the "smoking gun".

And according to Swiss newspaper Blick, the Briton dismissed an Australian media report that said a careless fan had leaned too hard on an aerodynamic part on Webber's car.

Instead, Horner said Albert Park is a "bogey circuit" for Webber and the team's blunt Helmut Marko told Auto Motor und Sport: "Mark had the pressure of his home race against a relaxed Vettel in super form."

Brazil's Globo reports that Red Bull decided to change Webber's chassis after Melbourne, and Webber was fastest in the initial practice session at Sepang.

(GMM with TMR)

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