During its coverage of the 6 Hours of Silverstone Radio Le Mans announced that Mark Webber has signed a five-year deal with Porsche to join their World Endurance Championship assault. If the rumour is correct Mark will retire from F1 at the end of this year and start with Porsche in 2014.
Rumours of Webber joining Porsche have been simmering for some time but this is the first instance a firm contract has been mentioned.
The rumour was also posted to twitter by Radio Le Mans:
@AussieGrit signs 5 year deal to race with Porsche. Hey welcome back to sportscars, Mark! #greatnews
— Eve Hewitt (@radiolemans) April 14, 2013
When we asked Radio Le Mans for comment this was their reply: “Credible sources but I would not expect to see any confirmation until later in the season. Or could be bargaining chip.”
Let’s not lock this deal away just yet, but if, or when it happens, it clearly won’t be surprise to anyone. Indeed, the way it’s looking it will be more of a surprise if Mark stays in F1 beyond the current season.
[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images | Thanks to Micky for the tip]
13 replies on “Rumour: Webber signs 5 year deal with Porsche”
I guess it’s probably a deal that says if Webber doesn’t stay in F1 or doesn’t stay with the Red Bull team, he’ll be driving for Porsche. Or it’s an agreed deal, just not yet signed by Webber. Maybe Porsche thinks about entering F1 in 2015? Ok I admit that’s wishful thinking…
Radio Le Mans did not announce mark webber has singed for Porsche. they mearly said that there is a rumber he had. there was no talk of the deal being set in stone
He does now sport a very short German like haircut, I think that confirms the rumours, if nothing else 😉
@Tom, yes, RLM announced the rumour. I’ve not said the deal has been confirmed. But look at that tweet again, there’s no room for ambiguity there: “@AussieGrit signs 5 year deal to race with Porsche.”
Better company car. Pfft, Megane…
As long as Webber is competitive he will have a seat in F1.
You heard it here first, I predicted this last year on AusMotive, on the day that Porsche announced their return to LMP1.
In the meantime, Webber’s best move in F1 would be to pointedly go out and drop some coin on a new road car – with a prancing horse on the front. It might make Mad Marko burst a blood vessel.
It’s a good move by Mark as he has two Porsche road cars in the form of GT3 and GT2RS. Now he will get servicing for free and warranty is just about to run out for his cars too! Clever, very clever.
@ way, I’m sure he’s cut a deal for a new GT3 anyway. He may even get involved in final RS sign off too.
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