Mark Webber today ended speculation over his Red Bull future by announcing that he will retire from Formula One at the end of the season.
The Australian’s contract expires after the last race in Brazil in November and Webber has decided not to renew his deal, partly because of his difficult relationship with Red Bull team-mate Sebastian Vettel.
Kimi Raikkonen is tipped to replace Webber, who will join the Porsche sports car programme rather than pursue alternative options in F1.
“I’m very much looking forward to this new challenge after my time in Formula One,” said Webber, who won nine races during his 12-year career. “I can hardly wait to pilot one of the fastest sports cars in the world.”
Webber is fifth in this year’s driver standings ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone but he could be higher if it were not for his strained partnership with Vettel.
Tensions boiled over at the Malaysian Grand Prix in March when the German deprived Webber of a victory after ignoring team orders to hold position.
Webber’s announcement will come as little surprise to Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner, who yesterday expressed his doubt over the 37-year-old’s future.
“The pairing we have has been tremendously successful,” said Horner. “How much longer Mark wants to go on is a question only he can answer.”
On Webber’s potential successor, he added: “Kimi [Raikkonen] would have to be an option, if he were to be available. We’re in the fortunate position that there are an awful lot of people who would like to drive a Red Bull racing car.”
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Webber won last year’s British Grand Prix but Vettel will be hoping for victory at Silverstone to extend his lead at the top of the Driver Standings. The German won the British Grand Prix in 2009 and says the race is one of the gems in the calendar.
“Apart from the unpredictable English weather, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone is a highlight of the season and one of my favourite tracks,” said Vettel.
