Mark Webber: “Two Wheel Guys” are More Gifted

Nine-time Formula 1 race winner Mark Webber rode a Yamaha R1 alongside John McGuinness during an event ahead of the British MotoGP earlier this month. Webber, who had very little two wheel experience prior to his outing, went around the circuit with McGuinness, who was aboard a Honda Fireblade.

Webber was fully kitted out in Alpinestars gear for his first taste of the Silverstone circuit on a race bike, a circuit that has provided many great memories for the Australian during his F1 career. Of his nine wins in Formula 1, Webber was victorious twice at the British circuit, matching his total of two around Interlagos and Monaco.

Webber is another heavy hitter who has gone from four wheels to two, after current F1 drivers Fernando Alonso (Motegi) and Lewis Hamilton (Valencia) also took to the track on race bikes in the past. Hamilton famously did so with Valentino Rossi, who has turned four-wheel racing into his new career following his 22-year career as a MotoGP racer.

Speaking about the thrills and spills from his day at Silverstone, but also what MotoGP riders are capable of, a starstruck Webber said: “It was my first time [on track two wheels]! Completely different. For us four wheel guys it’s not possible for us to race on two wheels.

“It’s so demanding, so different. The skill set you need from a young age to make that transition across if not possible. It seems to be easier for the two wheel guys, they’re probably more gifted than us to go onto four wheels.

“But to watch him take you around and have a look at the track - I think, optically it’s a flat circuit and was used in the war as an air field, but in terms of the optics and your references it’s a tricky venue but it’s fast and flowing. It was a brilliant day.” 

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