THERE are only two things that can stop Mark Webber - Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel, and lunch-time shoppers in Sydney's Pitt St Mall.

While Webber eventually escaped the horde of punters who wanted photos and autographs in the CBD, the challenge of trying to beat Vettel to a world championship is taking a bit longer.

Just days after Vettel won the Korean Grand Prix, which allowed him to secure a second successive F1 championship, Webber remains convinced he can knock his Red Bull Racing teammate off his pedestal.

In fact, 35-year-old Webber says he "is as hungry as he's ever been" and Vettel's dominance had made it easier for Webber to remain motivated to pursue his own maiden title.

"He [Vettel] is obviously on top of his game right now, he's nailed regulations and loved how the car has been this year," Webber told The Daily Telegraph. "He has done a phenomenal job and smacked it down the middle of the fairway every single time. He has lifted the bar for all of us.

"You need to get everything right, and in terms of the championship, my God, you need to put a lot together. You also need momentum to swing your way. But he is beatable next year. Yes, it's possible, absolutely. I've seen enough, and knowing how close it is, it's possible.

"You have to do it consistently, that's the bigger challenge. After my last race (on the weekend) my desire was very high.

"I was on the podium but I wasn't happy. This stuff can sometimes be a very good sign, so I'm now as hungry as I've ever been."

Webber said it was not a case of Vettel having a quicker car. He could not be happier with his own form and was buoyed by the offers from rival teams when his contract was being re-negotiated with Red Bull earlier this year.

"What was amazing this year was the amount of response I had from other teams when I was about to sign with Red Bull," Webber said.

"They were very, very interested in having a chat to me, which was another little reminder to me that things were going pretty well.

"I always put decent heat on myself, and the bar is always high at this level. To smash out top threes consistently, you can take it for granted sometimes.

"I'll go again next year, (but) to say where I'll head in 2013 and 2014, we need to another six months and see how we go.

"If you had asked me in my late twenties would I be still driving at 36, I'd say it would have been very, very unlikely. What does become apparent is retirement is incredibly over-rated, particularly if you're doing well.

"They say your motivation to train is the first thing to go, but for me that's still high."

Webber finished third behind Vettel, 24, and Lewis Hamilton in Korea, and sits fourth overall in the championship behind Vettel, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso.

Only three races remain this season in India, Abu Dhabi and Brazil, but proud Aussie Webber will give his all and said: "The trophies are not so important to me, I love the Australian national anthem being played behind me."

Follow @Telegraph_Sport on Twitter and like Telegraph Sport on Facebook

Originally published as I can outgun Vettel: Webber