Webber hoping to cash in on home comforts as F1 title race begins

Webber eager for Australian Grand PrixSTORY HIGHLIGHTSMark Webber to start his challenge for Formula One crown in front of home supportThe Australian will have the backing of large section of the crowd in MelbourneWebber was beaten to the 2010 world title by teammate Sebastian VettelThe 34-year-old is confident he can launch another bid for the drivers' championship (CNN) -- Mark Webber is hoping home comforts can propel him to victory at the Melbourne Grand Prix as he begins his quest to land the Formula One world title.

The Australian led the drivers' championship for long spells in 2010 but was pipped to the crown in the final race of the season by Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel.

The 34-year-old admits missing out by such a small margin hit him hard but he is hoping to go one better in 2011, and is banking on home support at the first grand prix of the campaign to help him kick start his mission in style.

He told CNN: "You don't hear them (the fans) when you're in the car but you can see them sometimes if you hit the lead. You know it's a slightly different situation to other races.

"You know at turn one or two sometimes your eye catches the crowd a little bit and you think, 'Yeah, I'm at home and they're excited to see me doing well' but that's over in an absolute flash because you catch it and then you're back on the job."

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