The petrol model in SRi trim felt a bit more at home on the
twistier sections and gave a false impression it could leave the oilburner trailing in its wake, but while it costs around pounds 2,000 less than its similar-specification diesel stablemate to put on the road, figures show that its 44mpg consumption is no match for the 54mpg offered by the diesel.
Technical analysis shows the Red Bull,which has started on pole 18 times in 19 races - and won 11 of them - runs out of puff on the long uphill straight past the pits because it is set-up for the
twistier infield sections.
It made the
twistier sections of mountainous terrain in southern Spain a stress-free but enjoyable and challenging drive, and the quattro's four-corner grip made mincemeat of those roughly-surfaced hairpins.
Two retirements in the Briton's last three races, sandwiched around a victory in Belgium, and the Red Bull's speed around the tight and
twistier circuits have given Webber grounds for optimism.
Cocker agrees that the
twistier parts of Croft will suit the more nimble Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
In contrast to the flat-out sweeps of Sweden, the Norwegian event will feature much slower,
twistier routes and steep gradients which, when coupled with the expected temperature of -15C should make for a really tough rally.
We know we haven't got the power, so we have to make the time up on the tighter,
twistier stuff.