Mark Webber - is he finished

[rev-erend]

Well he had a terrible year last year for the most part.

Laps times and his finishing record compared to his team mate were very bad.

Christian Horner in interviews has pure focus on Seb.

So - is he finished or just 2nd driver material now with the focus on just bring home team points.

What's your view ?

[Podie]

I imagine this may well be his last year in the sport, unless he has a mega year.

He strikes me as a genuine nice guy, and from friends who work at RBR they have much the same opinion.

It'd be nice to see him put the frightners on Vettel, but sadly I doubt it'll happen.

I still think he's a good driver. That pass on Alonso at Spa last year...

[pingu393]

I think Red Bull are in a stronger position than McLaren.

They can concentrate on Vettel coming as high as possible with Webber as a tail-gunner.

McLaren have to share resources.

Wheel changes during the race can be optimised to suit one driver (not both).

Upgrades tend to come along one at a time, so Vettel can get them. If Lewis gets the first upgrade, Jensen will get the second - just to be fair.


Webber can still win the Championship, but only if disaster befalls Vettel.

[MrKipling43]

Yeah. A long and successful (second) career in endurance racing beckons, if he wants it. Perhaps even with some Red Bull backing.

[playalistic]

MrKipling43 said:

Yeah. A long and successful (second) career in endurance racing beckons, if he wants it. Perhaps even with some Red Bull backing.

This, I'd love to see him in the WEC...

[Podie]

playalistic said:

MrKipling43 said:

Yeah. A long and successful (second) career in endurance racing beckons, if he wants it. Perhaps even with some Red Bull backing.

This, I'd love to see him in the WEC...

[sirtyro]

He has plenty of experience flying fast at Le Mans

[rev-erend]

I would like him to relax a bit .. he was showing signs of desparation last year. He seemed to have inherited David Coulthards on track luck.

[furtive]

Horner clearly thinks he is finished:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17284142

[quote]Red Bull boss Christian Horner says McLaren's Jenson Button is the biggest threat to his team this season...

...Horner also named Lewis Hamilton of McLaren, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus as contenders.
[/quote]

No mention of Mark.

Although if you read the article, it's a bit naughty of the BBC as Horner was asked who he thinks are Seb and Mark's rivals, and not just Seb's

[rev-erend]

It was after watching that interview that prompted my post .. he seemed to have pidgeon holed MW into the second driver box.

Edited by rev-erend on Thursday 8th March 17:43

[Mr_Thyroid]

Webber will stick around at Red Bull for another three years. It's the perfect way for him to get back at them for favouring Vettel - win a few races, take lots of money and really screw up their young driver programme.

[rev-erend]

Trouble is - Vettel has proved the worth of that program.

[Teppic]

rev-erend said:

he seemed to have pidgeon holed MW into the second driver box.

He did that in Turkey in 2010, when he tried to lay the blame on Mark for the collision between him and Sebastian.

[DrTre]

furtive said:

No mention of Mark.

Although if you read the article, it's a bit naughty of the BBC as Horner was asked who he thinks are Seb and Mark's rivals, and not just Seb's

Threat to his team, not to Vettel.

But yeah, I reckon this'll be his last year in F1. Really like him, he'll be missed but he'll have a successful racing career in something else and then I'd not be at all surprised to see him get into commentating.

[DiscoColin]

MrKipling43 said:

Yeah. A long and successful (second) career in endurance racing beckons, if he wants it. Perhaps even with some Red Bull backing.

I think that this is the only logical answer to the tread title. I reckon he will last just long enough in F1 to sign for Porsche when they go back to LeMans (he already does occasional promotional work for them so the connection is already there).

[williamp]

Mr_Thyroid said:

Webber will stick around at Red Bull for another three years. It's the perfect way for him to get back at them for favouring Vettel - win a few races, take lots of money and really screw up their young driver programme.

Thats quite spiteful. afterall, what have they done to him? Apart from giving him 2 cars worthy of winning races and world championships. Kept him on when they let DC go. These alone deserve his respect. Many drivers didnt have his chances. Very few did and made the most of them. His team mate was one, however

If that does happen he'll become a test driver/3rd driver for the new hot-shoe. Or get into sportscars for a great career. I wonder if he'd like to drive a Mercedes at Le Mans. I bet he'll really fly!

[Life Saab Itch]

Teppic said:

He did that in Turkey in 2010, when he tried to lay the blame on Mark for the collision between him and Sebastian.

This.

[PhillT]

rev-erend said:

Trouble is - Vettel has proved the worth of that program.

Nuh-uh - considering the amount of time, effort and resources they've put in, he's the only driver that's really come through for the team. In fact, after 11 years of the programme, he's the only driver to win an F1 race.

Edited for truly appalling grammar.

[MrKipling43]

DiscoColin said:

I reckon he will last just long enough in F1 to sign for Porsche when they go back to LeMans (he already does occasional promotional work for them so the connection is already there).

Interesting...

[fatboy69]

It's a little early in the season to write Webber off. Give him a chance at least.