Webber turned down Ferrari to focus on winning title with Red Bull
12 July, 2012
British GP winner Mark Webber squirts champagne at Fernando Alonso on the Silverstone podium
Jul.12 (GMM) British Grand Prix winner Mark Webber has confirmed that his desire to challenge strongly for this year’s Formula One World Championship title influenced his decision to stay at Red Bull for 2013 and possibly beyond.
Until Red Bull confirmed that he is staying alongside Sebastian Vettel next season, the Australian was strongly linked with a move to Ferrari. Even in the official media statement, Webber admitted there had been “discussions with Ferrari” about replacing Felipe Massa.
He then acknowledged to the Associated Press that it is “important the team knows you’re 100 per cent with them, which, of course, I am.” But that might not have been the case if the rumoured switch to Ferrari had become fact.
Webber has already felt the sting of questionable equality, famously declaring on the radio after winning the 2010 British Grand Prix that it was a feat “Not bad for a number two driver”.
Two years on and with his teammate Sebastian Vettel now the reigning back-to-back title winner, Webber is a win and 16 points up on the German in the drivers’ standings. He senses that it could be his last chance to win a championship.
“The fact that I am trying to win the championship this year was a consideration,” Webber admitted in a BBC column. “It would have been that bit harder to keep the momentum going if I was moving to a rival team. That was a factor, but it was certainly not the biggest one.”
Webber’s new contract is for yet another one-year term, but he insists retirement is not looming just yet.
“I’m not thinking about that at all,” said the Australian, who turns 36 in August. “The contract is just for one year, but I’m looking to stay in F1 for longer than that.”
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- Webber holds key to Red Bull title ambitions
- Red Bull boss tells Webber to focus on racing
@? yes that is what i was saying as he is showing that he still is in there I personally do not think he left yes the “Alonso is faster than you”. Message took him back a bit, but after that the car was built for Alonso and not Massa so he has had to learn how to wring it’s neck.
@McLaren Fan
You mean if Massa keeps his “increase of” form?
Webber is a good driver and would have been an asset to Ferrari and a help to Alonso I think that Ferrari will keep Massa if he keeps his form.
As a Ferrari fan I say:’Thank God that he didn’t come to Ferrari!’ A team like Ferrari deserves a better driver than him. Stay at Red Bull Webber!