It's Official - Mark Webber quits F1 at the end of the season and racing at Le Mans and WEC with Porsche in LMP1 2014

As confirmed yesterday (27/6/13) that Mark Webber has signed a multi year contract with Porsche to join the firm’s LMP1 program in 2014 to challenge in WEC series and 24 hours of Le Mans race. Which means the Australian will thus be leaving Formula 1 after 12 seasons thus far, has included nine Grand Prix victories.



In a previous post that I wouldn't be surprise that Mark Webber was going to quit F1 and do the Porsche gig. Also, I believe what has happen during the Malaysia Grand Prix with "Multi21" team orders, early in the season which includes no punishment to Sebastian Vettel for ignored team orders not to pass Webber on his way to victory and might have driven him to quit Red Bull and to quit F1 altogether and go with Porsche in 2014.

So who would replace Mark Webber at Red Bull for next season, strong rumours would suggest that Kimi Raikkonen is the man most likely to join Red Bull Racing. But in a pervious post, I felt this won't happen due to who's gonna be his team-mate would be in Sebastian Vettel. The more than likely option would be either Toro Rosso drivers Daniel Ricciardo or Jean-Éric Vergne. If I was picking I would go with Jean-Éric Vergne.

But, a wild-card for the seat at Red Bull next season could be Force India driver Paul di Resta. For two reasons, back in his F3 days in 2006, Paul di Resta was actually the faster driver than Sebastian Vettel and the other some of his race performances this season might count (Bahrain Grand Prix, Monaco Grand Prix and Canadian Grand Prix to name a few). Time will tell who is Sebastian Vettel's team-mate.

As for Mark Webber good luck at your new challenge at Porsche next season. As when we get to the start of 2014 F1 season at Melbourne we are all going to miss a little bit of Aussie Grit on the grid.




End of blog for now. New post soon. Bye.