Winning Webber makes his case for staying in F1

By Alan Baldwin

SILVERSTONE (Reuters) - If anyone doubted Mark Webber's desire to stay in Formula One next year, the Australian Red Bull driver made his position very clear after scorching to victory in the British Grand Prix on Sunday.

His second win of the season, and second career victory at Silverstone, firmed up his title challenge and cut Fernando Alonso's overall lead for Ferrari to 13 points with 11 rounds remaining.

"It helps my situation to stay in Formula One," the 35-year-old, out of contract at the end of the year, told reporters.

"I'm pushing to get a contract for next year. Going reasonably well, got a few points, a couple of wins and I will work very hard to try and stay in Formula One next year," he added.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has said the two sides will sit down in the coming weeks to discuss the future but has given the impression the decision would be as much Webber's as the team's.

Webber's recent contracts have been one-year extensions, agreed at around the mid-point of each season, but he has also been linked in media speculation to what could be a vacancy at Ferrari to replace Brazilian Felipe Massa.

On Sunday, with the sun shining after days of rain and traffic chaos around the rural English circuit, Webber was very much savoring the moment.

It was fitting that Jackie Stewart, the retired triple champion, should have interviewed him on the podium afterwards since Red Bull's racing lineage goes back through Jaguar to the Stewart team founded by the Scot in 1997.