Red Bull driver Mark Webber has decided to leave Formula 1 at the end of this season. The 36-year-old Australian is joining Porsche's new sportscar programme and will compete in the classic Le Mans 24 Hours race for the German manufacturer. Webber had options to stay in F1, either with Red Bull or another top team, but feels it is time to move on. Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 world champion, is favourite to replace Webber, who made his F1 debut in 2002. Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne are also options. Webber described it as an "honour" to race for Porsche, saying it "has written racing history as a manufacturer and stands for outstanding performance and technology at the highest level".
One had to wonder how long a driver of Mark Webber's caliber would race in Sebastian's shadow, be it by talent or team orders. To be able to leave and become a big part of Porsche's return to the highest level of sports car racing will not be a step down, but an opportunity for him to cast his own shadow again, I wish him well and will be following closely!! His replacement at Red Bull? Not sure, but it is hard to see Kimi wanting to be a number two driver at Red Bull, or Lotus letting him go right now, only the checkbook knows for sure.
Agreed I don't see Kimi or Seb playing number 2. Also Lotus seems to have found some money to be able to keep Kimi on. I think Ricciardo or maybe someone like di Resta or Sutil.
Mark is a great guy & hugely talented driver. I'm very happy he has landed a very good ride with Porsche in sports cars. I see it as a step up or at the least a lateral move for Mark. Good luck Mark!
I'm surprised at the timing of the announcement, just a few days ago he was talking like he wouldn't even be talking to RedBull about it till August or so. I also wonder if he'll drive the rest of the year to support Seb (team orders!) or if he'll fold his tent now and let them make the change early? I think they may bring JEV along, since that's how Seb got his start and he's been showing some fire lately.
Whoever it is needs to not mind being thought of by his teammate as the clear #2. Vergne and Ricciardo are easy guesses and either would sign that contract in a heartbeat but I'm sure Horner is considering every option.
I think Kimi would have fun at Red Bull, but I'm not sure it's a good match..... It is interesting to think about tho - they not only want the two drivers who can give the best results, but who also can work together to give the team the maximum points at every race, cause even tho we pay attention to the driver's championship, in the end the money comes from the Constructors Championship..... that's what's important to the team. It's a business after all...... And while having the Champ driver may help with sponsorship, you need consistant good results to win it all in the constructor's. On that end, Kimi with his consistant results would be a good choice, and I doubt he cares whether he's considered the #1 or #2 driver, as long as he gets a competetive car. He's one of the few drivers who would simply prove his point with his driving, not his comments.
Good points and I agree...though I think he would have to be able to believe that he'll never be told to give way just because his teammate is favored. Am I wrong or does Kimi seem like the type who will only drive for a team that guarantees no team orders?
If I had to bet, it would be on a younger driver considering that by 2015-16, Sebastian might suffer wonder lust......and Italy would be a beautiful place to go....
Do you mean you think there is a team boss who genuinely thinks Kimi's radio would still be working if team orders to stay back were issued?..... "(Tap) (Tap) You're breaking up there, boss. These damn radios never work....."
Good call. Hmmm, I wonder whether Horner wants two drivers who both ignore his orders instead of just the one he has now.
I think the silly season for drivers is going to be epic this year...... To start with, the opening at Red Bull should have about 20 drivers clamoring for the spot. But Massa's seat at Ferrari willl be just as enticing, if not more so......cause really, who thinks he'll be back on the grid in a Ferrari next season? Really? So with those two seats open at arguably the two best teams on the grid - Mercedes current success notwithstanding - who wouldn't want one of those places? If I were a young driver in F1 right now I'd be damn sure they had my resume, and my cell #! As for Mock Webba, as he rides off into the sunset amongst hale and hearty farethewells, I don't understand what all the fuss is about. He's a mid-pack driver at best and he's never impressed me. When you look at his career at AMG Mercedes his best finish was a DNF! Well, I guess that one wasn't really his fault.......that was the year of the flying Mercedes! He started driving for Minardi in 2002, but didn't win his first race till 7 years later, and I think then only because he was with the dominant Red Bull team. Hell, even Barrichello won a race or two driving for Ferrari when it was dominant! And when people talk about what a stand up guy he is, I wonder how they forget his single digit salute when Vettel passed him, and the sore ass he had when he thought they were gonna give him that one. I'm sorry, but the guy has never impressed me with his driving ability, and even less so with his sportsmanship - to me he's just a big whiner and a mediocre driver. Hell, how many times has Vettel spanked him badly in the last few years - same equipment yet he can't get off the line at the start of a race to save his butt? Same equipment but Vettel's outscored him what -100 to 1? I think if Red Bull wanted a solid #2 driver, then that's what they should have gone and hired, but I'm sorry, from my privledged position behind the wheel of my armchair, Mock Webba was far from a #2 driver, and more just #2........
I see what you did there... :wink: I won't express an opinion on his F1 chops here but, to tell the truth, I don't know why the sports car world is making such a fuss about Webber coming in to "lead" Porsche's LMP1 WEC efforts and return to Le Mans. Yes, I've seen the word "lead" used a few times now and I'm baffled. Seems like there are plenty of other drivers they could poach who already have more of the navigating through the slower cars smoothness necessary for successful multi-class sports car racing. When the rumors started I assumed he would be driving a factory GTE car, at least for a settling in / transition year, not the P1.
In other news.. Massa crashes out again in practice. I fear every one of these gets him closer to his exit from the red car seat.
Oh, come on. The managers and the PR folks have families to feed, too. At least in this case, it seems like they are earning their money.