Mark Webber cautious on Red Bull's Monza chances

Webber sealed at podium finish in the his last outing at Spa

Mark Webber is remaining cautious in his assessment of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

The 34-year-old Red Bull driver heads to Monza just three points adrift of championship leader Lewis Hamilton.

The Australian told BBC Three Counties Radio: "It's probably not the track we'd choose to go and have 17 races at, but we don't, we have one.

"We can still get some good points there and take the fight to the other fast teams."

He continued: "McLaren, Ferrari and Renault could be strong with Robert [Kubica] and Force India too. I'm looking forward to it."

McLaren's Hamilton regained top spot with victory at Spa at the end of August and Webber's runner-up spot means the pair have pulled away from the rest of the field.

"We've certainly got a bit of a buffer but that can change, but I'm not planning on it changing too much," Webber added.

"I'd rather have the points than not have them, so it's up to those guys to catch up."

Mark Hughes's column

For Monza there will be a new, tougher floor test too and this is expected to make it yet tougher for Red Bull [and Ferrari] to run their noses low

Milton Keynes-based Red Bull have managed to put together the quickest car in the field this season as they pursue a drivers' and manufacturers' double.

Webber is confident the team can continue to increase the pace.

"There's still more to come, we're hungry for the championship and there's more development to come in the pipeline," he stated.

Webber was speaking at the Daytona Karting circuit in Milton Keynes during a benefit for Superleague Formula racer Chris van der Drift.

New Zealander Van Der Drift, 24, suffered two broken fingers, broke his right ankle in two places, and dislocated and cracked his shoulder during a race at Brands Hatch in August.

"Whenever you have a bit of adversity it's always nice to have the support of people," Webber commented.

"Everyone wants the best for someone who has got a little bit of a hurdle in front of him at the moment."