While the recent remarks by the conservative Adrian Newey have perhaps bought some of Mark Webber’s fans down to earth, Webber remains upbeat about the 2007 season expecting podiums from the Red Bull oufit.

“Yes, it will be disappointing if we’re not on podiums, that’s pretty clear. Looking at the performance we’re going to be expecting from this car, we hope to be in the hunt.”

“We are expecting to do very well but so is everyone and until all the cars line up in Melbourne on Saturday, when everyone gets serious in qualifying, that’s really the first time that we’ll see whatever I’ve got,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to getting the results that we all want this year and the excuses aren’t good for anyone.”

Webber has been forced to retire from 36 races in his career and believes the switch to RBR will turn around his fortunes.

“It is bloody exciting to see what’s going to come out,” Webber said. “The car is obviously just so different from the Red Bull cars in the past and you’d expect it to be, but there’s obviously the Renault engine which was a great coup for us.”

January 30th and then the Australian GP will give a clearer indication…