Webber defects to Ford

FORD Performance Vehicles has revealed that Renault-engined Red Bull Racing Formula One driver Mark Webber was not behind the wheel of Renault road car while in Melbourne for last weekend’s Australian grand prix – but a turbocharged FPV F6.

FPV said the Australian F1 star, who last drove a Ford when he was with the now-defunct Jaguar team, reluctantly handed back the keys to the 310kW Australian performance car this morning, before flying to Kuala Lumpur for this weekend's Malaysian GP.

“What a great car,” said Webber, who broke his leg in a bicycle accident last November and was forced out of the Albert Park race at the first turn by Rubens Barrichello.

“This is what I miss in Europe ... awesome Aussie muscle cars,” he said.