Mixed feelings for Webber's parents

It's a well-known fact that motorsport is dangerous -- look on the back of any Grand Prix ticket and it will tell you so.

In order to participate at the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula One drivers know and accept the risks and dangers involved and most are comfortable in the fact that the safety standards now in place are second to none.

No matter how safe the drivers feel, however, friends and family are always going to have mixed emotions as Jaguar Racing driver Mark Webber explains: "I feel very safe in my little world in the car but mum thinks it's crazy," admits the Australian.

Mark's mother is a self-confessed nervous watcher. But with no live Formula One coverage of the European season in Australia, she has the advantage of knowing how Mark has done before it comes on the television.

"I don't enjoy watching him and I only watch when I know the result. We don't get to watch it live here so Mark calls me when he's finished qualifying to let me know how he's done. By the time the race is actually on here, we already know what's happened."

Mark's Dad sits on the other side of the fence. He loves watching his son race and gets a real buzz of excitement when Mark's on the television.

"I'm very proud of him and he's a likeable rogue," he said. "I don't feel the same way as my wife because I encouraged him to do it and it's a real buzz for me. If my heart rate's up, it's not anxiety it's because I'm excited."

-jaguar-

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