Mark Webber retires from racing

HE finished up in F1 racing in 2013. Now Mark Webber is taking his hands off the wheel for good, announcing the end of his racing career.

Mark Webber of Australia will end his racing career next month. Picture: Getty

AUSTRALIAN driver Mark Webber has called time on his racing career, which will end at the completion of the World Endurance Championship season.

Webber, 40, switched over from racing with Red Bull in the F1 to driving for Porsche in the world endurance championship.

Mark Webber in his Porsche racing gear. Picture: Supplied

Red Bull Racing driver Mark Webber (R) had a rivalry with team mate Sebastian Vettel (L). Picture: Getty

Together with teammates Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley, Webber was crowned FIA World Endurance champion last year.

The 6 Hours in Bahrain is set to be Webber’s final race.

“Porsche is the brand I always loved most and the one that suits me the best,” Webber said, according to motorsport.com. “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.”

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany, front, winner, drinks champagne with second placed teammate Red Bull driver Mark Webber of Australia on the podium of the British Formula One Grand Prix in 2009. Picture: AP

A young Mark Webber gets help with his school uniform in a photo from his book Aussie Grit. Picture: Supplied

Webber raced for Minardi, Jaguar, Williams and Red Bull over 11 years.

He finished on top of the podium nine times from 215 starts.

He also placed third at the end of the F1 season three times — in 2010, 2011 and 2013 — each of those seasons being won by his Red Bull team mate, Sebastian Vettel.

“It was a big change from F1 to LMP1 and an entirely new experience,” added Webber. “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,” he said. “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.”

Porsche LMP1 vice-president Fritz Enzinger paid tribute to Webber.

Mark Webber celebrates on the podium after winning the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix in 2010. Picture: Getty

“Already in the important period of building up the program, Mark has strengthened us with all his experience and he seamlessly integrated himself into the team,” he said. “Behind the wheel he is a fair fighter, never shy of even the toughest wheel-to-wheel battle. At the same time, he thinks strategically and is team orientated.

“This mixture makes him invaluable as an endurance racer. Winning the 2015 drivers’ world championship together with Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley almost seemed to be a logical consequence,” he said.

Mark Webber throws his hat to fans in 2013. Picture: AP

Originally published as Mark Webber retires from racing