Mark Webber says farewell to F1
and joins Porsche's LMP1 Sportscar Programme
For those of you that have followed Mark's F1 career since 2002 and Minardi, you'll know it's been 12 years of successes, challenges and at times disappointment. Not that I'm bragging but Mark has achieved nine grands prix victories, 36 podium finishes, 11 pole positions and 15 fastest laps and has twice finished third in the world championship, not a bloody bad effort mate!
For me as an Australian, Mark's best year in F1 was in 2010 when for 80 percent of the season I could watch as an Aussie dominated the F1 driver's championship leader-board.
Mark now moves onto driving for the Porsche LMP1 endurance programme in 2014 and as a enduro fanatic I'm very excited for Mark's future. Porsche's return to Le Mans also signals a big wake-up call, get ready Audi, the king of Le Mans is returning.
This from Mark of the future with Porsche: 'It's an honour for me to join Porsche at its return to the top category in Le Mans and in the sports-car World Endurance Championship and be part of the team, Porsche has written racing history as a manufacturer and stands for outstanding technology and performance at the highest level.
I'm very much looking forward to this new challenge after my time in formula one. Porsche will undoubtedly set itself very high goals. I can hardly wait to pilot one of the fastest sports cars in the world.' (auto123.com)
Of course this will not be the first time Mark has raced in enduro motor-sport, in 1998 and 1999 Mark raced for Mercedes Benz (in the CLR proto-type no less) at Le Mans and while the cars suffered from aerodynamic problems, Mark's performance was excellent.
The below video shows how the Mercedes CLR of Mark Webber and Peter Dumbreck's 1999 Le Mans race can to a spectacular ending. Fortunately both drivers walked away but Mercedes pulled it's remaining cars from the 1999 race and the Mercedes Benz CLR programme was ended.
Below is a photo of the 2013 Porsche's hybrid LMP1.
Thanks for the wonderful memories Mark, now go make some more at Porsche and Le Mans!Want to find out more about LeMans and slot cars?
Sad that he's decided to end the F1 part of his career - I have been a huge fan of his talent, sportsmanship and likeable nature. A true Aussie ambassador in an unforgiving sport and has truly flown the flag with pride. I look forward to following his new path in sports cars. Webber-Porsche partnership has to be a winner surely!
ReplyDeleteWell said, I agree and will massively miss watching Mark race in F1 next year. Looks like its time for Australia to get behind Daniel Ricciardo in a big way!
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