Q&A with F1 star Mark Webber

Q&A with Mark Webber 

Was signing with Red Bull Racing for 2013 an easy decision?

MW: In the end, yes it was. It’s been an interesting few months, but overall the continuity and desire for me to continue at Red Bull Racing was very strong. My main focus is on this year’s Championship, which is very important. In addition it’s an amazing bunch of guys and girls at Red Bull Racing and I really, really like working with them. That has a huge effect on me and how I perform in the car and it helped me in my decision.

You mention the people, what else is it that you like about the Team and Red Bull?

MW: Well, we have gone through plenty together here. We went from the days when Red Bull had not long owned the team to what it is now. The team really changed when we started to get successful, in terms of getting the balance right between being extremely professional on all fronts to still keeping that laid back and approachable attitude that the team still has within reason. It is just one nice big family now in many ways and we have grown so much. We’ve come a long way and I think it’s clear that I fit well here and that’s what I really like about it.

Were you tempted to think about moving elsewhere?

MW: There were discussions with Ferrari, but my decision was to stay here.

What’s the benefit of staying with Red Bull Racing?

MW: I virtually know everyone’s shoe size! I know everyone’s names, I know how everyone ticks and I know all the departments which is very, very important for a driver. There’s a whole raft of factors.

And how is working with the Team and with Sebastian (Vettel)?

MW: Very good. Obviously with Seb, we’ve worked very, very close together for a long period of time now. I think no-one would really have envisaged how long we have worked together, so that’s probably been a bit of a surprise. There are not many team-mates staying together for that long in Formula One, but it’s proved to be a successful partnership with both of us working very hard with the key technical members of the team. It’s been a potent operation. We’re still competitive when we hit the track, no question about it, especially in 2010 and this year. Last year there wasn’t much racing between Sebastian and I, but in 2009, 2010 and this year, there have been some great battles. That’s been enjoyable for the team, sometimes stressful too as it’s not easy for both of us to be at the front and I can understand that, as both of us are thinking about ourselves sometimes, but ultimately we know that we need to get the cars home and get the best results for us and the team.

Does it help to have contracts sorted earlier in the season?

MW: Yes it does and that’s another reason to just get it to bed. I’ve been hearing different rumours and reasons for a long time now. At the end of the day I know everything that has been going on. You want to make sure your focus is clearly on driving the car and the guys that you’re working with. It’s important the team knows you’re 100% with them, which, of course, I am. 

Will 2013 be your last season in F1?

MW: I’ve been asked this question for the past four years and my answer remains the same. It’s a results-based sport at the front of the grid so the future lies in my own hands. It’s down to me to deliver the on-track results.

For more information on Mark, please visit his website at http://www.markwebber.com/

BFI Hitchcock Blackmail VIP drinks reception and screening sponsored by Ketel One Vodka

The British Museum was a buzz last night for the BFI's exclusive reconstructed screening of Hitchcock's classic Blackmail sponsored by Ketel One Vodka. 

The event marked the first BFI signature event of the summer consisting of an outside screening of the 1929 classic Blackmail with a live orchestra performance composed by Neil Brand and Timothy Brock. 

The evening began with an elegantVIP drinks reception where film icons such as David Walliams, Miranda Richardson, Terry Gilliam, and Stephen Frears mingled amongst a decadent Italian inspired feast of charcuterie, cheese, and a variety of gherkins, olives, and focaccia,

Whilst sipping on the Ketel One Vodka cocktails, the gorgeous Miranda Richardson commented on her excitement about her current film Maleficent, a retelling of sleeping beauty that stars Angelina Jolie and Sam Riley “ All I can say is that it requires lots of makeup and long hours to transform into the role of Queen Ulla”

Monty Python’s Terry Gilliam and Stephen Frears were a comedy duo of sorts; both dressed in avant-garde attire consisting of a vibrant red scarf, kimono jacket, and flip-flop sandals.When asked about his thoughts on Hitchcock, Gilliam sarcastically retorted; “Well, he is fat and dead.”

The night really got interesting when David Walliams and his stunning wife Laura Stone arrived and immediately began mingling with the likes of Gary Kemp  and the other A-listers in the crowd.They were off to Brighton early the next morning, but were eager to attend the exciting signature event before their romantic weekend escape.

There even appeared to be some business talk as David Walliams went up to Terry Gilliam and bluntly asked if he could be in his next film, commenting that he would “even do it for free.” Gilliam gladly accepted the offer and warned him that he would have to be willing to work with Johnny Depp and fly to Bucharest where it was going to be filmed.

The guests were then led out to the front lawn of the museum and joined by a 1000 other cinematic fans.

The highlight of the evening was when the entire audience was asked to put on Alfred Hitchcock mask and then captured by a photographer on the roof to create a once-in-a lifetime eerie, yet fascinating group shot; appropriately titled: The Hitch Mask Stung.

The British Museum certainty provided the perfect Hitchcockian setting, and as night fell, and shadows were cast, the film seemed to break the fourth wall and captivate the audience.

What they drank: Hitchcock inspired Ketel One Vodka cocktails: The Downhill: Ketel One Citroen, freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar syrup/gomme, Egg white, Dash of bitters The Easy Virtue: Ketel One Citroen, fresh lemon juice, Elderflower cordial, and Prosecco

What they ate: Meat and cheese platter, paella with grilled prawns, trout on creamy risotto, edamame, mint, and peas salad over Greek yoghurt, rich chocolate brownies with orange zest.

For more information, please visit http://www.ketelone.com/agegate