Porsche to go all out for Le Mans 2014, hires F1 driver Mark Webber

Audi has taken the victory at the Le Mans 24 Hour race just last weekend, but sister company Porsche already has its designs also on the crown jewel of endurance racing. Porsche has recently unveiled its LMP1 sports prototype, and now it has hired Formula One racer Mark Webber. Webber is set to retire from F1 at the end of the 2013 season and embark on a new career in endurance racing.

From the 2014 season Webber will compete in Porsche’s new LMP1 sports prototype at the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the sports car World Endrance Championship. The 36-year-old Australian has already raced twice at Le Mans. In 1998 he finished runner-up in the FIA GT Championship, behind the wheel of a sports prototype.

Webber leaves a notable Formula One career marked by nine race victories, 36 podium places, and 11 pole positions. His vacant seat is already being eyed by Kimi Raikkonen and Toro Rosso drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

“It’s an honor for me to join Porsche at its return to the top category in Le Mans and in the sports car World Endurance Championship and be part of the team. Porsche has written racing history as a manufacturer and stands for outstanding technology and performance at the highest level,” says Mark Webber. “I’m very much looking forward to this new challenge after my time in Formula 1. Porsche will undoubtedly set itself very high goals. I can hardly wait to pilot one of the fastest sports cars in the world.”

Wolfgang Hatz, board member for Research and Development at Porsche AG says “I’m very pleased to have secured Mark Webber for our LMP1 project as one of the best and most successful Formula 1 pilots of our time. Mark is without doubt one of the world’s best race drivers, he has experience at the Le Mans 24 hour race and on top of that he’s been a Porsche enthusiast for many years.”

Meanwhile, Infiniti Red Bull Racing has expressed its gratitude to Weber “for the extensive contribution he has made to the team during the seven seasons he has driven for us.”

Christian Horner, Red Bull boss has said: “I am sure Mark thought long and hard before making what has no doubt been a very difficult decision. His achievements in Formula One are extensive and I am sure he will continue to push hard and build on that record until the end of the season. We support Mark’s decision. He has been an excellent addition to the team since joining us in 2007 and we wish him all the best in the next stage of his career.”