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No-win Webber under pressure

LONDON, England - Mark Webber will be under pressure to produce his best at next weekend's 2013 Monaco Grand Prix if he is to keep alive hopes of retaining his seat with defending champion team Red Bull in 2014.

The 36-year-old Australian, after a difficult, incident-filled start to the 2013 season, knows he has to deliver consistent strong performances to stay at the top.

Monaco, where he has always shone and where he produced one of the finest wins of his career, is expected to see him bidding to land the 10th win of his career.

'ADDED PRESSURE'

Under-pressure Red Bull team chief Christian Horner has been linked with a series of drivers as potential successors to Webber, notably since defending triple World champion Sebastian Vettel ignored team orders and 'stole' victory from the Australian in Malaysia.

Asked about Webber's future this week, he said the driver was in a period of opportunity, and added pressure, as the team begin considering its possibilities for 2014.

"It's probably both," he told Sky Sports News. "There is pressure to perform but that exists for all drivers. Monaco is a circuit that Mark enjoys and excels at so I hope he can have a very strong run there."

'WE'LL CONSIDER'

Horner, however, insisted it was too soon to be talking about next season.

"We're only five races in and just a quarter of the season through this championship," he said. "Our decisions regarding drivers will be made in the (northern) summer and Mark, if he's delivering and motivated and has the desire to continue, of course, and as a driver that we know and achieved so much with us we'll consider very, very closely."

Webber hasn't won a GP so far in 2013, in part due to Vettel's conduct in Malaysia. The latter has won twice and now leads the title race with 89 points. Webber is sixth with 42.
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