Albert Park names grandstand after Webber

The Mark Webber grandstand will welcome race fans for the first time on Friday after Melbourne's Albert Park circuit named a new seating area after its latest Grand Prix winner. The Red Bull driver has also been honored in hometown Queanbeyan on the run-up to this year's Australian Grand Prix. With former triple World Champion Sir Brabham having been the first Australian to win a Formula 1 race, having done so in Monaco in 1959, 1980 Champion Alan Jones' victory in the 1981 USA Las Vegas Grand Prix was the last F1 winner's celebration for Australia before Webber won in Germany and Brazil last season.

After arriving in his home nation, Webber travelled in a motorcade through the streets of Queanbeyan on Monday on his way to a civic reception at the Council Chambers. "Queanbeyan is proud of all of its sporting stars and is honored to have such high-quality sports people representing it," said city Mayor Tim Overall.

"The people of Queanbeyan have followed Mark's career closely and the town celebrated as one when he crossed the finish line in Germany to record his first Grand Prix victory. Such an amazing performance deserves to be honored."

Back in Melbourne, the brand-new Webber stand is located between the Fangio and Senna stands and offers views of the final corner, Turn 16, as well as the start/finish straight.