Mark Webber: “It will be strange to get out of the car for the last time”

World champion WEC last year with his teammates Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley, Mark Webber will experience his last race at the wheel of the 919 Hybrid LM P1 this weekend on the Sakhir track in Bahrain.

The old pilot Red Bull Racing en F1 avait en effet confirmé le 13 octobre dernier qu’il prendrait sa retraite en fin de saison, tout en conservant un rôle de consultant chez Porsche, tant dans le département des voitures de série que pour le domaine compétition.

If he can no longer compete for the world title this weekend, Mark Webber and his teammates could well be of precious help to the duo of the second Porsche 919 Romain Dumas, Neel Jani and Marc Lieb, very close to winning the consecration .

Webber and his teammates have only one objective: to achieve one last success in 2016, on a track where the native of Queanbeyan has never won, both in F1 and in the WEC. “My last time competing will certainly bring very strong emotions.

Being behind the wheel has been a big part of my life: I've driven a race car every two or four weeks for the last 22 years, so chapter two will require a real change for sure.

Brendon, Timo and I have one goal this weekend: to try to add this victory to our table. It's great that the team, Brendon and Timo, are striving to get the extra 1% for me to leave in the best possible way, but equally, I'll do the same for them. »

The Australian admits, however, that the latter will inevitably remain special. « It will be strange to get out of the car for the last time when the race is over, but I am extremely proud to conclude by still being at a high level.

I think I contributed to the success of the Porsche program, but my priorities are outside the car now. As I get older, I see more and more risks and I was very lucky not to be seriously injured.

I have had the privilege of working with the best personnel in the world and every pilot only wishes to have this opportunity. I can't wait to scout out the new talents to come. It’s nice to see several young drivers starting their careers, especially in the Porsche program. »

Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber are best placed to join the Zuffenhausen LM P1 program in 2017, which should also see André Lotterer (see Ah n°2088) arrive from Audi, following the withdrawal of the German manufacturer.