Brabham: Webber 'has blown' F1 2010 title chance

Mark Webber 'has blown' the only opportunity he will likely ever have of clinching the F1 World Championship crown with his costly mistake early on in the inaugural Korean Grand Prix last weekend - that is the view of the first Australian to lift the laurels at the highest level, Sir Jack Brabham.

Webber arrived in Yeongam County sitting 14 points clear of nearest pursuers Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso in the F1 2010 title chase, but left again trailing the Spaniard by eleven after crashing out on only the second racing lap in treacherous conditions.

With just two races left to run and 50 points remaining to play for, Brabham - who claimed the drivers' trophy on three separate occasions, in 1959, 1960 and 1966 and admits that he is willing his countryman on - fears the Korean error may have been a fatal one for Webber's world championship aspirations, and expressed his opinion that at the age of 34 now, 2010 is in all probability the Red Bull Racing star's sole chance to taste glory.

"[Webber winning the championship] would be fantastic, it would mean a lot to me and it would mean a lot to Australia, but unfortunately I think his real opportunity has been blown last weekend," 'Black Jack' told the Australian Associated Press.

"I'm really there behind him in the hope that he gets there, but if he doesn't do it this year, I don't think he ever will, personally. He was there with a points lead [before the accident], but now he's back in the [pack] and that's going to make it very, very difficult."