Mark Webber says he will only continue his Formula One career next year if he has a competitive car. He will enter the 2012 F1 season as the only Red Bull-aligned driver without a contract for 2013. Sebastien Vettel, Jean-Eric Vergne and compatriot Daniel Ricciardo are as safe as a driver can be in the cut-throat world of F1.
Speaking about his future in an interview with AAP, Webber said, “I’d need something competitive. It’s pretty clear that I’ve earned my stripes on the way through so I won’t be doing that on the other side—going the other way.
“Being competitive, being at the front, is certainly a big, big factor of me staying very hungry and motivated.”
The accepted wisdom for the 2012 season says Toro Rosso drivers Vergne and Ricciardo are effectively in a season-long job interview for Webber’s coveted Red Bull Racing seat.
Of course, Mark could have a strong year in 2012 and that could pave the way for a simple contract extension with Red Bull. Although, Red Bull showed last year, when they cut both Sebastian Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari from Toro Rosso, that they can be brutal when it comes to their driver roster. A good run of results in 2012 may not be enough for Webber.
For his part Mark says his season-ending win in Brazil has renewed his confidence.
“It was so nice to have that feeling again in Brazil,” Webber revealed. “It really hits you between the eyes when you’ve had a little bit of a run without doing it.
“It was a good way to finish the year and I’m looking forward to getting some more of those knocked up consistently.”
So, if not Red Bull then where to for Mark Webber? If we take last season’s form at face value then his only other alternatives are McLaren and Ferrari.
Looking at McLaren you get the feeling that Jenson Button won’t be going anywhere, you can certainly see him ending his F1 career with the Woking-based outfit. Lewis Hamilton may be interested in moving away, but like Webber, only for a competitive seat, which at this stage would likely mean Red Bull. Perhaps, then, there’s a very remote chance of a driver swap between McLaren and Red Bull, but for now that’s pure speculation only.
Ferrari is a more likely scenario. Fernando Alonso is entrenched at Maranello and signed to a long-term contract. But Felipe Massa is under the pump this year. If he has another poor season this year you would say the chances of him be thanked for his services and moved on would be very high. That would open the door for Webber. And as most F1 drivers would agree, the prospect of driving for Ferrari is tantalising.
But Mark will turn 37 next season and would Ferrari really want to offer a contract to a driver that may only be there for one year?
In the circus of F1 perhaps Vettel, who has achieved everything he could hope for with Red Bull, would be attracted to a vacant Ferrari seat. Last year the young German admitted he would like to drive for Ferrari before he retires.
So, in the end, we end up with even more speculation and guesswork. All of it adding to the drama and intrigue of what will be another fascinating year in F1.
[Source: SMH | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]
One reply on “All or nothing in 2013 for Mark Webber”
Webber should go to Porsche and become their #1 driver for the World Endurance Championship once his F1 career is over. Take the win at Le Mans and in the championship, then attempt IndyCar the following year and try to join the extremely rare group of drivers to win the three biggest races in the world – Monaco GP, Le Mans 24 Hours and Indy 500.