Zoom Webber proving strong with Red Bull

Championship leader Jenson Button has stepped up the psychological war with title rival Sebastian Vettel by suggesting the German is a shaky contender for the 2009 title.

Vettel dominated the recent British Grand Prix by securing pole, setting the fastest lap of the race and winning, while his Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber finished second.

Vettel and Webber are separated by only 3.5 points in the drivers' standings and Briton Button, with a big points lead over the pair, suggested his Australian opponent is the rival to watch at the Nurburgring.

"I think Mark is going to be quick here. He has more experience round here than Sebastian does. Sebastian has never raced in an F1 car here.

"Consistency-wise, Webber looks stronger," Button added. "He's a lot smoother and looks less ragged than Sebastian. "

Button believes the situation will be different to Silverstone three weeks ago, when his BGP 001 struggled to gets its tyres up to temperature.

"I'd rather it was hotter, but ... the softer tyre is better for us," he said. "It should be okay."

Button was second fastest to Webber in the opening practice session.

E.A. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM