Don't say for an instant that V8s are harder to control. They go soo much slower than an F1 car it isn't funny. They're a full 30 seconds slower around the Albert park Circuit!! The reflexes you need to drive a V8 pale in comparison to an F1. Don't get me wrong, I love the V8s and I too, Merc SL, stand in the red corner, but an F1 car is far harder, far faster and they have the BEST drivers in the world in them. BTW, it wasn't Mick Doohan who opened his pockets, it was David Campese. Campese did help Mark get over there and get started in Europe, but sponsorship from Fosters and other companies, mostly Australian ones, pulled him through. The point I made about the sponsorship is that Mark didn't have the massive backing of the European corporations that all the european drivers get. Lowndes and Ambrose did run out of money, that's true, but do you know how you run out of money over there? You run out of talent, which in turn runs you out of ability to attract sponsorship.
The other point I'd like to make is that in my earlier argument, I stated open wheelers, not specifically F1. You have to drive in plenty of other open wheel categories to even get a shot at F1 all of which vary in technical spec. but one thing is certain, not all allow traction control. Speaking of which, I think he proved his throttle control ability at the wheel of the Liana on the episode of TG this here thread is dedicated to. At some point especially if you are low on the money your talent has to pull you through and Webber's did that in spades. The best comparsion that can be made is when he was testing for Renault. His times consistently were faster than Giancarlo Fisichella's times, on worn tyres when Fisi was using the newies, but he didn't get the big seat because of A: Contracts and Openings, and the big one, B: Lack of sponsorship money to bring to the team.
It must be said he hasn't had a good run since he hit F1. Occasionally he has had a good run, for instance, qualifying in Malaysia last year and on one occasion, in the wet in Brazil was able to go toe to toe with Michael Schumacher in the Jag which was grossly inferior to the all conquering Ferrari. Overall, though, his luck hasn't run with him, and while 90% of racing is skill, the other 10% is luck and especially in F1, where the tolerances are so minute, if you don't have all 100%, you're toast. :shock: