This weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix will be the landmark 200th start for Australia’s Mark Webber.

In a new video, some of those who have helped to shape his career praise Webber’s talent. 

“The fact that he’s reached his 200th grand prix is no surprise and he has continued to improve in all the seasons he has been in Formula 1,” explained Christian Horner, team principal at Red Bull Racing.

David Coulthard, who was Mark Webber’s teammate for several years, said: “You don’t get to do one grand prix if you don’t have certain talent and you certainly don’t get to do 200 if you’re not delivering value.”

But it was former Minardi owner Paul Stoddart who gave Mark his first opportunity. “You just know when the special ones come along and Mark was certainly in that category,” he said. 

“Straight away, I knew we were going to have a good year but never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined what was going to happen in the first race in Australia. The race started, there was a massive accident at the first corner, but then we had two Minardi cars going through.”

Looking back at his first grand prix in 2002, Webber said: “I got the car to the end and the response and reaction from the crowd was very unique.”

“What a way to start your Formula 1 career,” Stoddart concluded.

Frank Williams believes Formula 1 has always been a true passion for Mark and not just a sport to make some money. “He is a racer,” he said. “By that, what I mean is a man who is dedicated and loved because he loves it. He’s very passionate and works physically and intellectually hard. Mark achieved what he’s got by his own determination and skill.”