225 replies to this topic

[D.M.N.]

MBrundleF1
Mark Webber signs for Red bull for 2013. No big surprise there, suspect they needed to sign him up before somebody else did. Like Ferrari.
10:04 AM - 10 Jul 12 via web

http://www.pressrele...BE-0573CE00B24F

RED BULL RACING CONFIRM MARK WEBBER FOR 2013

We’re delighted to announce that Mark Webber’s contract has been extended for another year, meaning the Australian, who won the British Grand Prix on Sunday for a second time, will continue to drive for the Team in 2013.

Mark Webber said: “I’ve been with Red Bull Racing since 2007 and have achieved nine grand prix wins during that time. I’m high on confidence at the moment and firing on all cylinders. I know the Team well and I’m very comfortable here; we have grown together over the years and it feels like absolutely the right thing to stay with Red Bull for another season. The Team is constantly working hard to improve in all areas and we’ve shown that together we can win races. It’s great to be able to make this announcement off the back of the win in Silverstone at the weekend and I’m looking forward to competing on the edge and pushing myself in every race again next season.”

Christian Horner said: “Mark has driven very well in the first nine races of this season and his performance has been impressive. Much of his Formula One success has been during his time with Red Bull Racing and together we have achieved 10 poles, nine wins and 31 podiums. As there was a strong desire from both sides to continue the partnership, it was a logical decision to extend our relationship and it is with great pleasure that we confirm Mark will drive for us in 2013.”

As Sebastian Vettel is already contracted to Red Bull Racing, this confirms the Team’s 2013 driver line-up.

[lbennie]

well fizzlesticks.

was rather keen to see him in red next year.

[The July Plot]

Looks like Hamilton will also be staying put as well.

[Kvothe]

The driver market just got a bit more interesting.

[Callahan]

Well that didn't take long. Back the truck up Mark.

[jcbc3]

Webber is far from my favourite driver and Red Bull far from my favourite team. But must give them kudos both. Very smart move by both of them.

[BigCHrome]

Makes the most sense for both parties.

[hello86]

Good for him and RB

[Slackbladder]

The driver market just got a bit more interesting.

Not really, with Massa improving, it means more than anything that the big teams will stay the same for next year.

[slideways]

Good news!

[iotar]

well fizzlesticks.

was rather keen to see him in red next year.

Same here it would be interesting but it's easy to understand Webber's decision.

It's really funny how many people last season were already putting Vergne in Red Bull seat. Driver that hasn't driven competitively a single kilometre in F1. Talking about the strength of Marko's marketing BS through repetitiveness. Everyone, including Horner and Mateschitz, was speculating about who should replace Webber and why it should be young driver from RB's program.

[Vesuvius]

Great news, good to see Mark continue with Red Bull....maybe/hopefully even as a world champion

Edited by Vesuvius, 10 July 2012 - 09:22.

[sofarapartguy]

Good for him.

But wanted some change - MW in Ferrari would be interesting though.

[SirRacer]

So no changes this year:

Mark will stay at RedBull
Hamilton will stay at McLaren
Massa will stay at Ferrari
Schumacher will stay at Mercedes

Booooooooooooooring

[korzeniow]

What a killer. It was so much fun speulating.....

[Andromeda]

Looks like Hamilton will also be staying put as well.

There is always Lotus

[korzeniow]

Same here it would be interesting but it's easy to understand Webber's decision.

It's really funny how many people last season were already putting Vergne in Red Bull seat. Driver that hasn't driven competitively a single kilometre in F1. Talking about the strength of Marko's marketing BS through repetitiveness. Everyone, including Horner and Mateschitz, was speculating about who should replace Webber and why it should be young driver from RB's program.

[slideways]

So no changes this year:

Mark will stay at RedBull
Hamilton will stay at McLaren
Massa will stay at Ferrari
Schumacher will stay at Mercedes

Booooooooooooooring

Maybe...

Lewis might even go to Merc/Lotus if McLaren screw him over again.

[Vesuvius]

There is always Lotus

no room for Lewis at Lotus

[ensign14]

Well, given Webber is at 2 in the WC and at present RB's best tilt at the title...

[chrisblades85]

Massa and Schuey to swap, would be interesting.;)

No big shock about Mark. Good driver who deserves to be in a top team.

[Headspin]

Great news, good to see Mark continue with Red Bull....maybe/hopefully even as a world champion

This.

[kosmos]

As I expected is unlikely that the big team will change drivers for 2013. Good for Mark I guess, but now I want to see Vettel and Webber performance in the next races, I really don't trust RB and they have now their number two secured another year, they are free to do what they do best, support Vettel.

[korzeniow]

Lee McKenzie ‏@LeeMcKenzieF1
Webber admits "There were discussions with Ferrari, but my decision was to stay here"

[Raelene]

bugger

he did confirm talking with Ferrari..

[Diablobb81]

Good that it's sorted.

Now hopefully he will keep up the fight for the championship.

[K-One]

Lee McKenzie ‏@LeeMcKenzieF1
Webber admits "There were discussions with Ferrari, but my decision was to stay here"

He did not want to be Alonso's bitch. Good for him

[HoldenRT]

So much for "RBR won't bring Webber talks forward" article on the main page..

I've barely talked about RBR/Ferrari in the last few months, because to me it's been obvious he would stay. Same with last year etc. Most driver musical chairs talk seems to be alot of hot air from bored people (no offense to anyone personally).. and sometimes even if something happens, isn't as predicted.

It's really risky to move teams when you have grown and developed together and the team is currently one of, if not, the fastest team. Definately over the last 3 or 4 seasons as a whole that is the case.

The only thing is the prestige of Ferrari..

Maybe Webber's hoping to go to Ferrari later on? I know what he's said about not hanging around forever, but a part of me thinks he'll do a Ruben's if he can and hang around as long as he can.. as long as the performances are good enough and he's not embaressing himself by hanging around.

You look at drivers like Kimi and Michael (and others in the past) who come back after a break.. seems smart to hang on to an F1 seat as long as possible.. there is plenty of time to go fishing or sit on the porch in a rocking chair later in life.

[HoldenRT]

He did not want to be Alonso's bitch. Good for him

Yeah that's the other thing.. better the devil you know.. ?

edit - Oh.. and Lewis is crazy if he leaves McLaren.

Edited by HoldenRT, 10 July 2012 - 09:43.

[Starlight]

As I expected is unlikely that the big team will change drivers for 2013. Good for Mark I guess, but now I want to see Vettel and Webber performance in the next races, I really don't trust RB and they have now their number two secured another year, they are free to do what they do best, support Vettel.

Expected this news about MW. Looks like the focus will be now on what Micheal does. He now seems to be the only trigger left which may cause a number of other moves.

[EvanRainer]

Now people can stop with their ridiculous Hamilton to RBR crap.

[EvanRainer]

I really don't trust RBR says the fan of the team that used to have a contracted lackey.

[Starlight]

Now people can stop with their ridiculous Hamilton to RBR crap.

Well it seems to be now Hamilton to Lotus ;)

[Zava]

The driver market just got a bit more interesting.

a bit less, I think. the shuffle at the top teams took an arrow to the knee.

[SirRacer]

He did not want to be Alonso's bitch. Good for him

So he prefers to keep being Vettel's bitch?

Or maybe he didn't want to take a beating by Alonso like Massa does?

[Kvothe]

a bit less, I think. the shuffle at the top teams took an arrow to the knee.

Which is what makes it interesting, if Lewis were to leave McLaren (which I don't think he will) it wouldn't now be to one of the other top three teams...

[Fastcake]

So Red Bull were in no rush to renew Mark Webber's contract were they?

Certainly seems the most sensible decision for both Webber and Red Bull.

[Zava]

So much for "RBR won't bring Webber talks forward" article on the main page..

they won't, because they already did.

[smoothcrim]

I think Didi Matesztich really loves Webber.A fit,fast experienced guy like Webber could have many years ahead of him.Good news.

[slideways]

I think Didi Matesztich really loves Webber.A fit,fast experienced guy like Webber could have many years ahead of him.Good news.

I think Webber is way fitter than even Schumi, especially if he has no downtime period. I wonder how long he can keep performing. I think he's probably past his peak already but experienced + on great form.

[Theturkeyprize]

Now people can stop with their ridiculous Hamilton to RBR crap.

Was getting sick of all this talk that Red Bull needed Hamilton more than Hamilton needed Red Bull.

Mark has always been treated as a number 1 with Vettel at Red Bull, that's why he keeps signing with them again and again because he gets a fair shot like Vettel unlike Ferrari.

Edited by Theturkeyprize, 10 July 2012 - 09:59.

[smoothcrim]

I think Webber is way fitter than even Schumi, especially if he has no downtime period. I wonder how long he can keep performing. I think he's probably past his peak already but experienced + on great form.

Its when your reflexes go that u start to slow down.I think it depends on how fast u are in the first place,Schumi was mega so even at 44 he is still fast and Webber has always had blinding speed so i can imagine him being fast at 40 also.

[Gareth]

Makes a lot of sense for both sides.

It suggests to me, also, that RBR are reasonably confident that they won't be losing Vettel to Ferrari in 2014.

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

So no changes this year:

Mark will stay at RedBull
Hamilton will stay at McLaren
Massa will stay at Ferrari
Schumacher will stay at Mercedes

Booooooooooooooring

Only 1 of those is confirmed, the other 3 are far from certain. Will Hamilton leave? Admittedly it's probably unlikely, but until he signs a contract with any team, it's not impossible. Will Massa leave? Probably depends on if he keeps up the sort of quali/race result he got at Silverstone but then if he left would Ferrari want Perez after 2 seasons with Sauber, if not, who else could they get? Will Schumacher leave? Depends as to whether he wants to carry on and as to whether Mercedes decide to offer him a new contract.

[Vesuvius]

Webber also held talks with Ferrari but choosed Red Bull:

Webber had talks also with Ferrari

[goingthedistance]

I think Webber is way fitter than even Schumi, especially if he has no downtime period. I wonder how long he can keep performing. I think he's probably past his peak already but experienced + on great form.

In terms of sheer pace he has perhaps dropped a fraction, but that's as much about the shift away from grooved tyres and in-race refuelling as anything else.

As a driver he is so much more complete than he was in his late 20s. No red mist, no silly errors. He is very mature mentally and has a never give up attitude, and with the way the races are unfolding this year those attributes are proving very valuable.

Alas I still think he's very much up against it with Seb though. I hope RBR continue to support both equally.

Edited by goingthedistance, 10 July 2012 - 10:14.

[boost]

Good news everyone!

[JRizzle86]

The driver market just got a bit more interesting.

The driver market just got less interesting.

[Raelene]

Only 1 of those is confirmed, the other 3 are far from certain. Will Hamilton leave? Admittedly it's probably unlikely, but until he signs a contract with any team, it's not impossible. Will Massa leave? Probably depends on if he keeps up the sort of quali/race result he got at Silverstone but then if he left would Ferrari want Perez after 2 seasons with Sauber, if not, who else could they get? Will Schumacher leave? Depends as to whether he wants to carry on and as to whether Mercedes decide to offer him a new contract.

apparently re: Schumacher - it is his choice...

[UPRC]

I'm both glad and disappointed by this. Glad because it means Mark should still have a competitive car next year, but disappointed because I felt that he would have been a great Ferrari driver and red overalls probably would have suited him like they do Alonso.