Webber ready for the surf

SAO PAULO, Nov 24, 2011 (AFP) - Australian Mark Webber admitted on Thursday that he is looking forward to some surfing and relaxation when the Formula One season is completed following Sunday's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.

The 35-year-old Red Bull driver, who has struggled to match his double championship winning team-mate German Sebastian Vettel this season, said also that he hopes to carry some of his improved momentum through the off-season and into 2012.

"I am planning to go back for six weeks and to have a good rest and get away from it all," he said. "I have been better in the last few races than earlier in the season so I am hoping to carry that with me into next year as well."

Webber also admitted that the age gap between him and 24-year-old Vettel was a significant factor in his struggle to compete with the wunderkind.

"I weigh 10 kilos more than Sebastian," he said. "That has a big bearing on weight distribution which has a big bearing on starts, which has a big bearing on how the tyres hold up.

"But I have had that for my whole career, I can't be much lighter so we have to work with what we have.

"But right now, I am looking forward to the break. There are three more important days work with the guys, but it'll be nice when the calendar flicks over. I will do some surfing and spend less time in England!"

He added: "But the momentum is important too - you know, the start, say the first half a dozen races (in 2012) are important, there are no big changes on the tyre front although the blown diffuser will be different.

"Although it might not have showed, my performances have been better than at the start of the season... At my last Grand Prix (Abu Dhabi), the race on Sunday was competitive even though I was down 20 or 30 pounds of down-force.

"In fact, on Sundays, generally I have been competitive. So, if the tyres stay pretty similar, which I believe they will then I should be okay next year."