Day Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Red Bull driver Mark Webber has decided to leave F1 at the end of this season. The 36-year-old Australian is joining German company Porsche's new sportscar programme, which includes an assault on the classic Le Mans 24 Hours. Webber had options to stay in F1, either with Red Bull or another top team, but feels it is time to move on in his career. Lotus's Kimi Raikkonen is favourite to replace him, with Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo or Jean-Eric Vergne options. Webber described it as an "honour" to race for Porsche, adding: "Porsche has written racing history as a manufacturer and stands for outstanding performance and technology at the highest level. "I'm very much looking forward to this new challenge after my time in Formula 1. I can hardly wait to pilot one of the fastest sports cars in the world." In 12 years in F1, Webber has won nine grands prix, achieved 36 podium finishes, 11 pole positions and 15 fastest laps and twice finished third in the World Championship. Read More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/23074108 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duracell Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Welcome back to the best sporting event on the planet, Mark. You've been missed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Welcome back to the best sporting event on the planet, Mark. You've been missed Think you've misread the article, he's leaving F1 at the end of the season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duracell Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Think you've misread the article, he's leaving F1 at the end of the season And joining Porsche which includes an assault at Le Mans Spare seat going in my Martini Panda next year Daveo.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsRam Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 My daughter's just gone off to Silverstone with my niece and nephew, camping till Sunday or Monday. She's taken her DCFC flag, so I'll be looking out for her. Think it's on tonight at 8 or so she says. Rather her than me. Me, MrRam and the other lamb are off to Thorpe Park (London not Cleethorpes) tomorrow, staying in a hotel, much more civilised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CumbrianRam Posted June 27, 2013 Author Share Posted June 27, 2013 Can see Raikkonen joining Red Bull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Posted June 27, 2013 Share Posted June 27, 2013 Yup Kimi will end up at Red Bull, be interesting to see who Lotus bring in as I can see Grosjean being shown the door at the end of this season. Massa maybe coming out from Alonso's shadow and being given a number 1 role? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Kimi Raikkonen has re-iterated that he will consider all his options for next season but hinted that the choice lies between Lotus and Red Bull. The Finn was very much a man in demand in the Silverstone paddock on Thursday following Mark Webber's surprise announcement that he is quitting Red Bull and F1 at the end of the season to race sportscars for Porsche. Raikkonen first became linked with a move to the World Champions in the wake of Webber's dust-up with team-mate Sebastian Vettel at the Malaysian Grand Prix. He is currently racing on a one-year contract with Lotus and despite maintaining that he's happy there, the 2007 World Champion also expressed his desire to race the fastest car he possibly can. "I still don't have an answer for what'll happen next year," Raikkonen said. "It hasn't changed since the last two races. Obviously people will be talking more about the chances but it hasn't really changed what I will do next year or what my decisions are. They're still open. "Obviously I have to discuss with certain people, but that doesn't mean there's no secret. I have no contract; this is normal in Formula 1. I've nothing for people until there's something certain on paper. "I will tell people immediately then, so everyone stops asking the same questions." However, in an interview with Simon Lazenby broadcast on The F1 Show later, Raikkonen revealed that he had already held "small talks" with Red Bull. "It might be an option and we have to see what happens. Obviously I don't have a contract for next year and that's no secret, but I would say Lotus or them is the only options," he added. Asked about the prospect of racing an Adrian Newey-designed car, the 33-year-old said: "You always want to try and get the best car. They've shown they have the best package overall for the last few years." Raikkonen admitted that any decision would be difficult. He is settled at Lotus, who not only have provided him with a race-winning car but also the relaxed environment he prefers. Vettel - Webber relationship 'hyped' That wouldn't necessarily be the case at Red Bull, whose image as free-wheeling, fun-loving, upstart mavericks has faded in direct proportion to their on-track success. "I think whatever the decision will be, it won't be easy," Raikkonen mused. "It's never easy and it's not the first time I've had different options on the table. Then you take the one that's right for you at that moment, so it's hard to say whether it's the right or wrong decision. But you have to live with it. "Only you can make the decision yourself." Raikkonen, currently third in the Drivers' Championship, admitted that Lotus have looked after him well since he returned to F1 following a two-year hiatus during which he rallied and even had a go at racing NASCAR. "It's been perfect. Without them, I obviously wouldn't be back in Formula 1. They've also got something out of it. I have no complaints," he said. "Obviously there are certain things that have to improve but I've had a great time with the team so far, so whatever the decision will be, it'll be difficult. "I think we both know, me and the team, what we have to do to make things go forward." On the subject of being handed a free rein, Raikkonen said: "It's one of the key points. Obviously you want to have a good car, but there are lots of small things that have to be right for yourself. "They might sound like stupid, small things but I've been long enough in the business to know what I want and if those things aren't right then that decision might be different." Webber's time spent partnering Vettel has, of course, had its fractious moments, not least the latter's decision to defy team orders and pass the Australian for victory in Malaysia earlier this season. Raikkonen, however, said that the 25-year-old German would rank fairly high in his list of preferred team-mates. "I have no problem to race with anybody. I've never been in a position to choose who I drive with, so it hasn't changed anything. But if it happens, it would probably be easier than some of the others," he added. http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8795744/Kimi-Raikkonen-has-re-iterated-that-his-options-for-the-2014-season-remain-open Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CumbrianRam Posted June 29, 2013 Author Share Posted June 29, 2013 Hamilton on pole at SIliverstone, Rosberg 2nd, Vettel 3rd, di Resta 5th, Kimi 9th, Alonso 10th, Button 11th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Day Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 Mercedes the kings of qualifying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duracell Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 I so badly want Hamilton to win, would be incredible for a Brit to finally win on home soil. Shows how much he's struggling with his brakes this season, because there's very few hard braking zones at Silverstone and he flies. Vettel still looks good for a win. On the clean side of the track, I can see Rosberg being easy meat at the start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duracell Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 The Finn was very much a man in demand in the Silverstone paddock on Thursday following Mark Webber's surprise announcement that he is quitting Red Bull and F1 at the end of the season to race sportscars for Porsche.http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12433/8795744/Kimi-Raikkonen-has-re-iterated-that-his-options-for-the-2014-season-remain-open Classic F1 journalism there! The news was announced by Radio Le Mans in April.... Hope Kimi does go though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CumbrianRam Posted June 29, 2013 Author Share Posted June 29, 2013 di Resta to start to the back after being 1.5kg underweight in Q. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCFCfranco Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 Hamilton had just had a puncture, pretty much ruined his race. Vettel now leads. And as I write this massa has also had a puncture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CumbrianRam Posted June 30, 2013 Author Share Posted June 30, 2013 Vergne now, this a joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hucknall Ram Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 Three blow outs in under 12 laps, disgraceful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
networker1884 Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 Ah well, atleast its interesting today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hucknall Ram Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 Hamilton had just had a puncture, pretty much ruined his race. Vettel now leads. And as I write this massa has also had a puncture. puncture? More like blow outs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CumbrianRam Posted June 30, 2013 Author Share Posted June 30, 2013 Vettel out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
networker1884 Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 How the hell has Hamilton got back into 5th!? Brilliant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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