Mark Webber Just Announced He’s Retiring From Racing

Mark Webber has achieved great success at the top line of racing, from his nine victories in Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing to his 2015 title success in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Porsche.

But now he’s decided it’s time to hang up his racing helmet for good and retire from motorsport, taking up a new role with Porsche as a representative and consultant.

Webber is best known for being “not bad for a number two driver” in an F1 career spanning 12 seasons, four teams, nine wins, 42 podiums and three third-place championship finishes.

After leaving F1 at the end of 2013, Webber moved over to the FIA WEC with Porsche’s LMP1 outfit and has gone on to achieve yet more success.

Alongside his team-mates Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley, Webber has won seven WEC races since 2014 and the trio won the drivers’ title in 2015.

They also finished second at last year’s Le Mans 24 Hours. Alongside his racing commitments, Webber has also been a regular F1 TV pundit and commentator for Channel 4.

Next month’s 6 Hours of Bahrain, the WEC season finale, will be Webber’s last race behind the wheel. Here’s what Aussie Grit himself has to say on his decision and career:

“I have arrived where I belong. Porsche is the brand I always loved most and the one that suits me the best. I will miss the sheer speed, downforce and competition, but I want to leave on a high and I’m very much looking forward to my new tasks.”

“It was a big change from Formula 1 to LMP1 and an entirely new experience. But it came at the right time for me. I found I liked sharing a car and the chemistry between Timo, Brendon and me is special and something I’ll always remember. It will be strange getting into the race car for the very last time in Bahrain but for now I will thoroughly enjoy every moment of the remaining races.”

What’s been your favourite Webber moment from his time racing in motorsport? Let us know in the comments below!