Australian motor racing history was created today when it was announced that Australia's own Mark Webber has reached the pinnacle of motor sport, achieving a place on the Formula One grid. Webber will team up with Malaysian Alex Yoong to contest the 2002 FIA Formula One World Championship in the Paul Stoddart owned Minardi team.

Fittingly, Webber will make his F1 debut at the 2002 Foster's Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park on 3 March 2002.

Webber, who has a global sponsorship agreement with Foster's, is the first Australian driver in eight years to secure a place on the F1 grid, following David Brabham's drive for Simtek in Adelaide in 1994. Webber now joins other Australian greats, including Alan Jones and Jack Brabham, in the elite league of Formula One drivers.

Rick Scully, Foster's Brewing International's Managing Director was thrilled with the news, "Mark has worked tirelessly to break into Formula One and Foster's is very excited that he has been given this opportunity in the very year we have again taken up naming rights to the Foster’s Australian Grand Prix. We’re very proud to be sponsoring such a deserving and promising young driver.

"Foster's looks forward to continuing its close relationship with Mark as his career develops further at the highest level of the sport."

About Mark Webber

Since making his junior national karting debut in 1991, Mark has become a prominent figure in the world of Formula Ford, Formula F3 and Formula 3000 racing. He also raced sports cars for Mercedes before teaming up with fellow Aussie Paul Stoddart in 2000 when he raced for Stoddart's F3000 team finishing third in his debut season in the official F1 feeder category.

In 2001, Mark became the official test and reserve driver for the Benetton Renault Sport team and capped off the year by finishing second in the FIA International Formula 3000 Championship with Super Nova Racing.

As a new Formula One driver for Minardi, Mark has re-affirmed himself as the hottest property in Australian, if not international, motor racing circles.

Further information:

Lisa Martini
Foster's Brewing International
Tel: +613 9633 2085
Mob: +61 0409 660 225