While Sebastian Vettel narrowly missed out on pole position, Mark Webber was left struggling once again with several car issues that prevented him to secure a front end starting grid spot.
via BBC Sport F1Mark Webber to leave Formula 1 at the end of 2013 season
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."
Huntresa wrote:So do we think Red Bull will go for a number 2 driver since i assume Vettel will demand that, and in that case you think Verge, Ricciardo wants or are upto to that ?
Nope we cant, that was more meant if they would get someone totally different in.irang wrote:But we can't say promoting one of STR drivers must indicate Vettel demands it or he's afraid of challenge from his teammate? Actually we have no evidence that Vettel has any direct influence on this matter.
Vettel had an injured hand during that season and almost lost his index finger. The very same one you're constantly seeing now. Based on diresta's performance from last couple of years he'd serve as a good n2 driver but that's it.avatar wrote:Anyone for Di Resta and Vettel in the same team? - they were in F3 at the same time, Di Resta came out on top back then...
I disagree @Chuckjr - if Vettel has any sense he'll go for as many records as he can - 5, 6, 7 x WDC? It's all possible at Red Bull. Schumacher had a pretty easy ride at the end there - nothing could touch him - so he just racked up the records. Being the best driver on the grid is nowhere near as important as being a great driver in the best car. If you have that, lap it up while you can - as Alonso can tell you, which would he prefer?Chuckjr wrote:If (hopefully not) Vettel wins a 4th WDC, maybe he would desire to challenge himself in a new way by taking on a superb competitor? It seems the real racers all want to challenge themselves against the best to see just what they were made of by taking every challenge to distinguish themselves from contemporary counterparts. This would present a prime opportunity for Vettel to do just that. Certainly Kimi would take no $hi# or team orders, and you would know if it was a fair fight with him in the car as he would make it clearly known if the team was favoring Vettel.
Any conditions you put on a WDC you have to apply to every previous WDC and start pulling apart why they won. Button and his DD, Mansell and the FW14B, Fangio and a Silver Arrow. Without those amazing vehicles and team that designed and managed them, would the results be the same? Thats not detracting from the driver talent, its showing its just one part of a whole. At the end of the day the total pieces must mesh together. Right driver, right car, right time and a WDC must take every advantage, just as every WDC did before. How can anyone begrudge that?Chuckjr wrote:This is why I said maybe.
I get the easy ride thing, but my hope was that he goes for the complete career picture where, if successful, he would earn far less detractors from doubting his talents. This is a rare opportunity and he may not get another shot in his career. But, yea he proly will not go for gold and just rack up WDC.
