Dr. Helmut Marko, advisor for the Red Bull Formula 1 team, believes Mark Webber struggles more than team-mate Sebastian Vettel when it comes to title-deciding situations, claiming the Australian 'has a little trouble' coping with pressure.
Marko, who contested a handful of Formula 1 races in the early 1970s, reckons that although Webber can still produce unbeatable performances on his day, a lack of consistency is hindering his chances of fighting for the World Championship.
"It seems to me that Webber has on average two races per year where he is unbeatable, but he can't maintain this form throughout the year," Marko explained during an interview with the monthly Red Bulletin magazine. "And as soon as his prospects start to look good in the World Championship, he has a little trouble with the pressure that this creates.
"In comparison with Seb's rising form, it seems to me that Mark's form somehow flattens out. Then, if some technical mishap occurs, like with the alternator for example, he falls relatively easily into a downward spiral. No driver remains unaffected by this, because the tension is palpable."
Marko went on to use Webber's narrow title miss in 2010 as a case study, with the 36-year-old losing out to Vettel despite entering the final race seven points ahead.
"In 2010, it was particularly extreme," Marko said of the title showdown. "Webber headed into the final race with better chances than Vettel, and he probably carried the disappointment of his defeat into the 2011 season, which is so easy to understand."
Webber will share the Red Bull garage with Vettel for a fifth season in 2013.
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