Webber takes a trip home

For Jaguar Racing driver Mark Webber, the build up to the Australian Grand Prix provided the ideal opportunity to get back to his roots and visit the family in his hometown of Queanbeyan in New South Wales.

"A lot of people love to get back to their roots and it was nice for me to get back home to Queanbeyan because when you're blasting around in Europe in rented cars and hotels it's all a bit of a blur for you during the season," said Webber, who was accompanied by ITV television F1 reporter, Beverly Turner.

With 16 races in a frantic Formula One season, drivers can often get carried away with the glitz and glamour of the sport. But Mark is one driver who acknowledges how lucky he is and keeps his hometown close to his heart.

"I didn't know how lucky I was really. I came out here every weekend basically from the age of three to fifteen. Dad used to come out to see mum's sister and my grandfather and help out on the farm. I used to thrash around on the motorbike on Saturday and Sunday all day and they'd be fixing things or helping with the sheep. I have a lot of amazing memories here."

With two more races to go before the start of the European Formula One season, Mark is already thinking ahead to one of the busiest periods of the calendar -- a far cry from the tranquillity of the New South Wales outback.

"I love Europe and parts of Europe are amazing but we're lucky here in Australia because the standard of living is great," added Webber. "The hustle and bustle of Europe is so different to Aus but I enjoy it in Europe and hope I'm there for a long time yet. Eventually when I'm say 40 or 45 I'll hopefully come back here and have red wine and chocolate and all the things I'm not allowed now!"

-jaguar-

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