Motorcar racer Mark Webber has his eyes on the big prize the Formual One championship, but before that, Sunday's grand prix at the Circuit de Catalunya is waiting for him.
At 33, he believes this is his year to finally take out the world championship. He's sitting eighth in the championship after four rounds, with 20 more on the calendar, including this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix. He has the fastest car, the quickest times and a team regarded as arguably the best in the 12-team, 24-car field.
When Webber made his formula one debut in 2002, fans applauded; when he won his first GP last year, they applauded. They even managed a quiet clap when the 33-year-old was cut loose from Williams at the end of 2006 with a year to run on his contract.
''Because it's all about timing,'' Webber insists.
He adds: ''Things happen when they're meant to happen. And when the time's right you've got to listen to it.''
Self-assured Webber is, but Australia's multimillion-dollar F1 driver is just as friendly and talkative as he is opinionated.
He believes the timing is right for him to finally make a tilt for the championship. He knows being shafted from Williams to the little-known Red Bull Racing was the best thing to happen to him - just as his career looked to be flailing courtesy of unreliable and uncompetitive cars.
''I absolutely consider myself one of the drivers capable of winning the title this year,'' Webber told The Sun-Herald.
He added: ''I know I can match it week-in, week-out with these guys. I've shown some big flashes of speed and that's all well and good, but I've still got to put it all together on a Sunday. That's when the sheep stations are handed out.”
