For Mark Webber it’s a car he’s still getting to know, but a position with which he’s totally familiar ahead of Sunday’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix.

Webber will start from fifth on the grid for the race – joking that his “lucky number” at Albert Park may be just what he needs to catapult him to the race victory he craves above all others.

Fifth is the Australian’s best finish at his home grand prix – something he has managed in 2002, 2005 and again last year.

“Fifth is my lucky number here, but we’re looking to go forward and it is a long year,” Webber said after his Saturday qualifying run.

While not happy with where his Red Bull car landed as McLaren duo Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button proved far racier to seal the grid’s front row spots, Webber could take heart from outqualifying teammate and world champion Sebastian Vettel.

Vettel was sixth as both new Red Bull cars were found to be off the pace in the season’s first qualifying session.

Webber admitted improvement was needed for victory at his 11th attempt at winning in Melbourne, but believes this year’s all-new RB8 can and will get better.

“We would have liked to have had a bit better track time and having a slightly better understanding of the car, but the base is absolutely there,” Webber said.

“We need to leave here with some points in the bank and we need to massage more out of this car quite quickly.

“I’m not happy where we are on the grid. I feel we will find out tomorrow how we are on Sunday afternoons. Saturday (qualifying) is not our strength right now.”

Vettel was also hopeful the new car could find the speed it needs.

“We are surely not happy with the result today, but there is no need for panicking right now,” Vettel said.

“Things didn’t come together perfectly for me today.

“It’s not a disaster starting sixth tomorrow. It’s a long race. There’s a lot of things that can happen here.”