Mark Webber signs for Porsche

[deggis]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...98J0CM20130920

Horner:

"In terms of his performance and capability, I think he could have done another couple of years, but I think he's fallen out of love a little with Formula One."

(...)

"He (Webber) has decided to take on a new challenge in sportscar racing and he has always had a passion for that kind of racing, that's where he came from to Formula One, and he's chosen to pursue his career in that direction," said Horner.

[deggis]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...0IT1J320131108

[321Go]

Originally Posted by deggis

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...0IT1J320131108

Full interview can be seen in link below:

http://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/re...d--mark-webber

[rich07]

That interview aired here on Channel Ten on Thursday night. Unfortunately the interviewer was not a motorsport specialist but it was still a good interview.

Mark seemed very happy to be moving back to sportscars and with Porsche nonetheless.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by 321Go

Full interview can be seen in link below:

http://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/re...d--mark-webber

Thanks. Video is actually geoblocked but found a way.

[Mechanic Z]

I watched the USGP today.
The commentators kept talking about how Mark Webber was "retiring".
Only once did they say that he was continuing in motorsports, and then they failed to say where.




To be fair, they did mention Jan Magnussen's successes in sports cars at another point in the broadcast, so they aren't entirely unaware of the sport!

[cmk]

Leigh Diffey being the lead commentator means that they definitely know sportscars exist. He's commentated for GARRA a whole bunch. Mark referenced his return next year in a Porsche on the podium, which is the first time I've seen him make such a clear statement about his excitement for next year in a major F1 press moment.

As an aside, that was the first time I've ever seen an F1 race on NBC. It will also certainly be the last. Abysmal coverage hardly begins to describe it.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by cmk

Leigh Diffey being the lead commentator means that they definitely know sportscars exist. He's commentated for GARRA a whole bunch.

Also ALMS & LM @ Speed. Context is probably important here. Plus NBC doesn't have any rights to WEC so there is zero reason to 'promote' it. OP is reading too much into this imho.

[Mechanic Z]

I know Leigh Diffey has done sports cars before, I just thought it was funny that they kept saying Webber is retiring.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by Mechanic Z

I know Leigh Diffey has done sports cars before, I just thought it was funny that they kept saying Webber is retiring.

He just seems clueless sometimes. Also, he seems to decided that the role of "lead commentator" meant outshouting Billy Mays.

It also seems like my Grand-Am commentator look-alike parody is still running strong on the internet. Wonder if they'll ever take it down.

[Lagunaseca_4life]

that is the best speed commentator pic ever!

My cable box listing screwed up big time and only showed f1 would be on nbcsn at 3 so I waited all day and as the race started I was surfing the net and stumbled across the results and figured I was watching a tape delay....bummer...anyways was surprised to here about mags' son getting a f1 seat next year.thats awesome!

[deggis]

Crash.net has a 4-part interview:

1: http://www.crash.net/f1/feature/1978...e_to_stop.html
2: http://www.crash.net/f1/feature/1978...o_regrets.html
3: http://www.crash.net/f1/feature/1978...nife-edge.html
4: http://www.crash.net/f1/feature/1978...g_porsche.html

Some quotes:

While their agreement was made public at the British Grand Prix, Webber revealed that the German manufacturer had actually started contract negotiations over twelve months earlier. At that time, rumours about Webber's future centred on a much speculated move to Ferrari.

With Webber agreeing to remain at Red Bull for 2013, he revealed that he also turned down the option presented to him by Porsche to join them for this year.

"F1 is the benchmark in terms of adrenaline and everything else,” he acknowledged, “Every driver I've spoken to has said that, after F1, they can't find anything to replace it. If you've had a taste of that... it's like flying first class, in that it makes it difficult to fly economy after that. But you have to. I believe that the Porsche programme is easily up to the [performance of the] midfield here in F1.

"Take away Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes and McLaren - after that, it's the same. Considering the professionalism, the preparation and all those things, there isn't a better transition for me between, as a brand, Porsche and staying with Red Bull as an athlete, but also the cars are the closest to F1. DTM is a really fast touring car, but sportscars are different. They're quick and that's also another reason why I think that I can be successful in sportscars."

[TF110]

Looking at the lap times from the F1 race compared to the WEC race at Austin, the lmp1's were about 8 seconds off the best race lap times. Next year the lmp cars lose 50kg and gain a good bit of optional hybrid power. Betcha theyre just as quick if not quicker next year. So even on the performance levels, lmp1 cars aren't too far off what F1's do.

[deggis]

I don't think the context was lap times: "the professionalism, the preparation and all those things"

[GreenMachine]

Originally Posted by deggis

I don't think the context was lap times: "the professionalism, the preparation and all those things"

Yes, but I am sure the speed of the cars is part of the equation ...

[Mal]

Originally Posted by deggis

"the professionalism, the preparation and all those things"

I suspect for that you should read.... 'money spent'

[TF110]

Originally Posted by TF110

Looking at the lap times from the F1 race compared to the WEC race at Austin, the lmp1's were about 8 seconds off the best race lap times. Next year the lmp cars lose 50kg and gain a good bit of optional hybrid power. Betcha theyre just as quick if not quicker next year. So even on the performance levels, lmp1 cars aren't too far off what F1's do.

Originally Posted by deggis

I don't think the context was lap times: "the professionalism, the preparation and all those things"

Highlighted the part you were wondering about. Just added the facts of their speed in addition to the complexity of their program...

Also, Mark seemingly won't have to wait at all to get started- http://www.speedcafe.com/2013/11/21/...orsche-monday/

[Mike E]

Quite a coup for the race.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/201...our?CMP=twt_gu

[Rodger Davies]

I couldn't work out of that part was serious but could be some good early promotion for the next generation 991 GT3 car. Hope he throws himself into a few other GT races here and there too. There'll be plenty of spare seats at Daytona this year

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

I couldn't work out of that part was serious but could be some good early promotion for the next generation 991 GT3 car. Hope he throws himself into a few other GT races here and there too. There'll be plenty of spare seats at Daytona this year

Also the Nurburgring 24h, let's not forget Porsche's presence there.

[Rodger Davies]

Aye, bit one week after Le Mans might be a big ask, so I figured he'd probably start with some outside the normal WEC season. Again, maybe another year when it's on a more logical date!

[Mike E]

Mark has really let himself go since the end of the F1 season...

[JacobP]

Next year the F1 cars can get a lot slower according to the rumors.

[Victor_RO]

Reports starting to appear on Twitter that Webber has had his first run in the Porsche LMP1.

https://twitter.com/GTPorsche/status/410493328409780224

https://twitter.com/EliGP/status/410494955225116672

EDIT: Autosport now reporting that he has driven the car at Portimao. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111812

[Simmi]

Can't wait for next year!