Webber: Tires favor Hamilton

Mark Webber believes that Lewis Hamilton's competitiveness has been aided by the new Bridgestone tires this season. More experienced drivers have had to adjust to the new specification whilst others like team-mate Fernando Alonso and Ferrari rival Kimi Raikkonen are still getting used to the jump from Michelin to Bridgestone rubber. Thus the Red Bull driver thinks that there has been an element of luck to Hamilton's current 14-point lead in the championship.

Webber told BBC Radio Five Live: "It has been very difficult for the guys who are seasoned campaigners to get used to these tires. The cars are vastly different but that final feel for us in terms of the confidence. It's like a golf or tennis player all using the same rackets."

Both Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen have failed to meet expectations so far this season and have seemed to struggle at their new teams, McLaren and Ferrari, respectively. Both also have been racing Michelin-shod cars for the past five years, with Alonso experiencing Bridgestone for the first time this season.

Webber added: "Lewis, his fresh and naïve approach, that's all he knows. Fernando has struggled big time on these tires. And that's not an excuse and Fernando hasn't used it as one because it's up to us to get on top of it, Kimi is the same. But most of us have found it very frustrating."