Mark Webber’s long rumoured move to Porsche’s LMP1 programme was confirmed today, which means that the Aussie will retire from F1 at the end of the last race of the year in Brazil.
His departure leaves the door open for Kimi Raikkonen, who had hoped to get Webber’s seat as long ago as 2011. However in recent weeks Jean-Eric Vergne has staked his claim for the drive.
Webber’s relationship with the team has endured ups and downs, and came under some strain after he was passed for the lead by Sebastian Vettel in Malaysia. The Aussie turns 37 in August and has clearly decided that he doesn’t want to stay around for the turbo era.
Webber previously drove for Mercedes in sportscars, and famously had two major accidents at Le Mans in one weekend.
Regarding his move Webber said: “Porsche has written racing history as a manufacturer and stands for outstanding performance and technology at the highest level.
“I’m very much looking forward to this new challenge after my time in Formula 1. I can hardly wait to pilot one of the fastest sports cars in the world.”
“I’m very pleased to have secured Mark Webber for our LMP1 project as one of the best and most successful Formula 1 pilots of our time,” said Porsche board member for R&D, Wolfgang Harz.
“Mark is without doubt one of the world’s best race drivers, he has experience at the Le Mans 24 hour race and on top of that he’s been a Porsche enthusiast for many years.”
Adam Cooper F1 
If he knew he was out the door at RB, who are clearly gunning for Kimi, with the lack of testing in F1, the complexities of modern cars KERS etc and this generation of Pirelli’s all placing a premium (& salary) on experienced pilots…….why would you opt for Porsche in LMP1??
It was rumored that Ferrari tried to ink the 9 time winner for this year as a replacement for Massa, and I’m certain Lotus, Force India, Williams, maybe even McLaren would value highly experienced driver. Why did he not leveraged his “veteran No. 2” position at RB into another ride in F1 in. What of the perennially struggling Massa, or Kimi’s empty seat?
As I write this there are 3 comments, one here and 2 more in the article above, all complaining about some aspect of RBR’s and F1’s treatment of Webber. That pretty much sums up his fanbase, which unfortunately reflects Mark’s own moping attitude the past few years.
Mark, thanks for the thrills and your gentleman’s approach to F1, but nice guys don’t win F1 championships. I wish you best of luck with Porsche and hope you find more happiness there. P.S. can you please take you whinging fans with you?
Bem, I will respectfully disagree with you. My bemoaning a talented, experienced F1 driver exiting F1 does not constitute a whinging Mark Webber fan.
In fact my post above is questioning why the other teams, not RB, have not picked up a old hand. What I did not say is that Mark’s performance, relative to his team mate, these last few seasons is why he is out of one of the most coveted seats in F1.
Old hands like Berger, Coulthard, Barrichello, Irvine etc were usually snapped up by teams wanting experience.
It is good however to debate our opinions on such a forum.