The Real Reason Webber Retired From F1

Mark Webber has admitted that a loss of motivation with Formula 1 caused his retirement from the sport.

The Aussie - who is quite possibly the biggest lad in F1 - will retire at the end of the season and will be replaced at Red Bull Racing by Daniel Ricciardo. Admittedly, he's had a tough career in the sport, having had to wait until his eighth season for his debut victory.

He joined Red Bull Racing for the 2007 season, but it wasn't until 2009 that the Milton Keynes-based squad challenged for race wins. He narrowly lost the world title in 2010, although managing to out-race team-mate and triple world champion Sebastian Vettel on numerous occasions.

It's been a win-less 2013 season so far for "not bad for a number two driver" Webber, but he admitted in an interview with F1 Racing magazine that he has been on the brink of retiring for quite some time: "I've been on the edge with Formula 1, I think, motivation-wise, for the past couple of years.

"You have to be driven. You turn yourself around each winter and the fire in the belly is not quite what it was when you were 24. It's inevitable. It happens, unfortunately. You never imagine it could happen, but it does. And I can tell you this: if I had won the championship in 2010 I would have retired there and then. Bang."

Webber, who is no stranger to sportscar racing after competing in the FIA GT Championship and Le Mans 24 Hours prior to his F1 debut, said that the timing to retire at the end of the 2013 season was just right: "With the category changing next year from a technical perspective, it was the perfect opportunity for a completely new challenge, with my future sorted. It's a great opportunity for me to be associated with Porsche."

He also revealed in the interview that he had a chance to drive for Ferrari in 2014 alongside Fernando Alonso, as well as the offer to remain at Red Bull. However, he decided to go with Porsche's offer over the Christmas period in 2012.

The 37-year-old has started 208 grand prix, won on nine occasions, scored 38 podium finishes and registered 17 fastest laps over a career in Formula 1 that has spanned 11 years. We'll certainly miss him in the sport.