Mark Webber notched up his eighth podium finish of the season yesterday, thereby extending his lead in the world championship to 11 points.

"Third was a good result for me," said the Australian. "I'd struggled with the balance of my car during practice and qualifying, and from fifth on the grid I was expecting a tricky race. But we maximised every opportunity and it was good to get as many points as we did."

For the first time in several races, Webber made a good start from the clean side of the grid. He exited Turn 1 in fifth place and from there things got progressively better.

"We've been criticised for our starts in recent races," said Webber, "so it was good to nail this one. Seb and I both got away well, which proves that the hard work done by the team in this area has paid off.

"The strategists on the pit-wall then took the decision to pit me for prime tyres on lap four, during the first Safety Car period. I questioned the call initially, but it turned out to be spot-on. I dropped back to 11th on the road, but everyone ahead of me had yet to pit and I was racing Lewis Hamilton for third place."

To make the strategy work Webber had to overtake several cars immediately after his pitstop, which he duly did, and proof that his efforts had paid off came on lap 21. Hamilton pitted and rejoined the race behind the Red Bull, and they then circulated in close proximity, until making contact on lap 36.

"This was the defining moment of the race for both of us," said Webber. "The race had just re-started after the second Safety Car period and all the cars were closely bunched. I was baulked by a backmarker and that allowed Lewis to get a run down my outside into Turn 7. He turned in, but I was still there and we collided at the apex. It was a racing incident, as the stewards subsequently agreed."

Hamilton's race was over immediately, but Webber was able to continue, albeit in a compromised manner. His right front tyre had been pushed off the rim in the incident with Hamilton and, according to Bridgestone's technical chief Hirohide Hamashima, it was just 5mm from slipping off completely.

"As you can imagine," said the Australian, "there was a huge vibration after the incident with Lewis. I couldn't hold the steering wheel at high speed and I've got a massive blister on my right hand as a result. I was just glad to make it to the end of the race, and to keep Jenson behind was an added bonus for the championship."

After staying on European time for the Singapore night race, Webber is now adjusting to local time. He heads to Melbourne for a few days this week, before heading to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix in two weeks time.

"Suzuka is a fabulous track," he said. "We're optimistic that it will suit our car, but it's tight at the front and we'll need to prepare well and be on top of our game to get a good result. With only four races to go, things are getting interesting."