New F1 is too quiet according to race goers

Australian V8 Supercars, Formula 1, On The Record

By LOREN HAZELWOOD

Kamui Kobayasi crashing out after a brake-by-wire failure. Photo: AP Photo/Ross Land

Kamui Kobayasi crashing out after a brake-by-wire failure. Photo: AP Photo/Ross Land

Australian Grand Prix organisers claim the new F1 cars may have breached race contracts because they were not loud enough.

Fans have also spoken and agreed that the new V6 turbo-charged powertrain cars sound duller than a lawnmower on a Saturday morning.

The Australian Grand Prix Coordination’s (AGPC) organiser Andrew Westacott said the new cars took away the fascinating spectacle of Formula One racing.

“One aspect of it was just a little bit duller than it’s ever been before and that’s part of the mix and the chemistry that they’re going to have to get right,” Mr Westacott told Fairfax radio.

Westacott also mentioned that AGPC chairman Ron Walker told Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone who said that the quieter sound might have breached the race contract.

“Ron spoke to [Ecclestone] after the race and said fans don’t like it in the venue,” Mr Westacott said.

“We pay for a product, we’ve got contracts in place, we are looking at those very, very seriously because we reckon there has probably been some breaches.”

Not only were the big bosses disappointed with the sound of the new cars—the fans and racing drivers were in disbelief with the V6-turbo sound, including NSW Formula Ford Driver, Daniel Holihan.

“They should definitely bring back the V8 or even the V10 and V12 engine, it’s the fans that come to hear the high pitch roar of a Formula One around the city of Melbourne,” Mr Holihan said.

“I was getting more of a thrill watching the rolling starts of the V8 Supercars.”

Although the cars were not as loud—the racing spoke for itself, with the drivers battling for position throughout the whole race, while trying to not break down.

The competition level was high and it was unpredictable who would win the race before it started, with reliability also playing a big part during the first race in Australia.

“I loved the action, the race was very entertaining because it was a complete fresh start for every team and there was a lot of passing going on,” Mr Holihan said.

Not only did the race deliver great action and unpredictability, it also saw controversy unfold as Australian young gun Daniel Ricciardo was disqualified after a fuel-flow sensor error.

Ricciardo’s team at Red Bull have appealed the decision, with the verdict expected to take a few weeks to be announced.

Nico Rosberg was the eventual winner of the race, with McLaren rookie driver Kevin Magnussen replacing Ricciardo for second on his Formula One debut, with McLaren teammate Jenson Button rounding out the top three.

Formula One management are yet to comment on the hybrid-generation cars.

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Double points to be awarded in 2014 F1 finale

Fiasco Sports, Formula 1

The FIA today have announced that double points will be received in a bid to bring excitement to the final race of the Formula 1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. 

Formula 1 to battle it out right to the final round. Photo: Joe Armao/Sydney Morning Herald

Formula 1 to battle it out right to the final round. Photo: Joe Armao/Sydney Morning Herald

The final round of the FIA Formula 1 calendar will see double points awarded for the 2014 season.

This move is one of many made recently by the Formula 1 Commission and Strategy Groups this week.

The change was made to increase the fight of the Formula 1 title going into the final round of 2014, as current Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel won this years title with few rounds to spare.

This change will also apply to not only the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, but also the Contructors’ Championship.

If this system was implement over the last six years, two of the final results of the Drivers’ championships would have been different, Felipe Massa would have pipped Lewis Hamilton in 2008 and Fernando Alonso would have won Vettel’s world championship last year.

Other changes for the 2014 FIA Formula 1 season include drivers’ being able to choose their numbers, rather than run the number the constructor finished the previous year, with the drivers’ championship order to be used to resolve any issues over number allocation.

A budget cap for 2015 is also currently being discussed by the Commission and Strategy Group to keep the costs fair for each team.

Written by Loren Hazelwood. @LorenHazelwood

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/double-points-to-be-awarded-in-2014-f1-finale/#sthash.xKaSNGcN.dpuf

Working as hard as Steel: future F1 star Steel Guiliana

Fiasco Sports, Formula 1, Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Sprint Karting

Motorsport is a long and hard road, and no one knows the international track more than Australian Steel Guiliana, who is on the way to his Formula 1 dream. 

Steel Guiliana leading the pack at Mt. Panorama, Bathurst. Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

Steel Guiliana leading the pack at Mt. Panorama, Bathurst. Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

For 22-year-old Steel Guiliana, life is a juggle between working hard and driving with pure dedication and skill to make it to the pinnacle of world motorsport, Formula 1.

Raised on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Guiliana immediately impressed those competing against him, from the beginning in go-karts and winning numerous titles in the rookie and junior ranks, even against current V8 Supercar drivers and current F1 driver, Daniel Ricciardo.

Guiliana pursued towards his dream at a very young age, at just 15 years old he lived in Austria to compete in the European Rotax Karting Championship, where Guiliana went on to finish second in the series.

Austria kickstarted Guiliana’s international racing career, then he moved to Italy where he won the Italian Karting Championship and was also given the opportunity to race in the Formula BMW category.

The rising star then raced in America, but later returned back home to Australia to compete in the Australian Formula 3 Drivers’ Championship, where Guiliana claimed seven race wins in his first season in the national class and was also awarded a $50,000 scholarship to race in the series for the following year.

Guiliana continued to pursue his dream to the Formula 1 grid, testing in GP3 at the end of 2012, showing the world he has what it takes.

The Central Coast driver decided in November 2013 to team up with 1980 Formula 1 World Champion Alan Jones to travel to Abu Dhabi, to hopefully seal a deal for GP3 in the 2014 season.

Fiasco Sports motorsport reporter Loren Hazelwood recently caught up with Guiliana, asking about his future and delving into how hard he has worked to get where he is today.

Steel at Symmons Plains, Tasmania. Photo: Steel Guiliana's official website

Steel at Symmons Plains, Tasmania. Photo: Steel Guiliana’s official website

Loren: Racing is your passion and has always been in your blood, how did you first get involved with racing?

Steel: My Dad came from a racing background running Formula Ford earlier in his career, so he took me to a kart track when I was five years old and we went to Newcastle to see what it was like. I was instantly hooked, then Dad bought an old go-kart and started practicing when I was six. I started at Coffs Harbour and raced at Newcastle by the time I was seven.

Loren: You’ve raced all over the world and at some incredible circuits, what would be your favourite?

Steel: My favourite tracks would definitely be Monza and Singapore, mainly because of the atmosphere behind the venues, it makes it more exciting to drive around. Singapore is probably my favourite circuit to race at though, but Monza is awesome because of the venue.

Loren: All round, you have sacrificed a lot to go racing, what has kept your passion alive for the last 15 years?

Steel: Going fast. I love the speed and the adrenaline, and also the competition, I don’t like losing. I have a passion for fast cars and everything that goes on behind the scenes. It’s awesome to be honoured to drive a car that hundreds of people have prepared just for you.

Loren: Would you be able to describe a typical lap in an open wheel car?

Steel: It’s very challenging to start with, the harder you push under brakes the more stable the car is, you have to get rid of the fear of the speed and once you’ve done that you will be confident to go fast, and in saying that you have to be fit to handle the g-forces the car produces. You also can’t just plant your foot coming out of a corner, so there is a lot of different techniques that can be used. The hardest thing is to not make a mistake over 20-40 laps and hold concentration for that period of time, while other people are racing with you.

Loren: What is your plan for 2014?

Steel: To compete in the GP3 series in Europe.

Loren: Who is your racing idol and mentor?

Steel: That would be Alan Jones, and also Ayrton Senna. Ayrton was my first idol and when I started to learn a bit about what Alan did to get into Formula 1 and the hard route he had I started to look up to him and achieved world champion status from a difficult background.

Loren: What has the experience been like working alongside the likes of Alan Jones?

Steel: It’s ben great to get inside knowledge to how people work in Formula 1. It’s a very cut throat business and if you don’t know the right people it’s very difficult, so to be able to work next to Alan is a great pleasure for myself and it’s great having someone of his status to help support my racing. He’s been able to give me advice on fitness he used to do and it’s been incredible to talk to someone who raced in the 70s and 80s when the cars weren’t easy to drive.

Steel Guiliana and Alan Jones. Photo: Steel Guiliana

Steel Guiliana and Alan Jones. Photo: Steel Guiliana

Loren: How big is the difference between racing in Australia against racing Internationally?

Steel: I think the level of competition is very similar, but the different is you may have the top two or three guys to take victory, which we saw in the Australian Formula 3 category this year, where as overseas there can be ten different drivers in a series that win races. The way the teams go about it is very different also, overseas you don’t get a lot of practice, where as over here you get a bit of time to try different things.

Loren: Where was your best ever race?

Steel: When i finished third in the championship round in England back in 2005, that was definitely a highlight to be able to be in the European championship as a privateer and run alongside factory teams on their home track and to end up on the podium was a big thing.

Loren: Anyone you would like to thank or any other comments?

Steel: Big thanks to my parents who have supported me since I was seven, my crew back home for their continued support, my manager Titus Day, my girlfriend for helping out with my media, Alan Jones and his manager Patrick Wedes, R-Tek Motorsport for preparing my Formula 3 car over the last three years and Peter Hawkes and Aaron Borg for mentoring me. The list could go on forever really, but these people have been crucial in helping me get to Formula 1.

Steel racing in Formula BMW. Photo: Steel Guiliana's official website

Steel racing in Formula BMW. Photo: Steel Guiliana’s official website

Written by Loren Hazelwood. @LorenHazelwood

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/working-as-hard-as-steel-future-f1-star-steel-guiliana/#sthash.RrOFXTEf.dpuf

Mark Webber to drive at Bathurst 12 Hour with Eric Bana and James Tomkins

Bathurst 12 Hour, Film and TV, Formula 1

Recently retired Formula 1 driver Mark Webber is tipped to head home to Australia for the Bathurst 12 Hour race in 2015. 

Mark Webber has his eyes set on Bathurst 12 Hour. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA

Mark Webber has his eyes set on Bathurst 12 Hour. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA

Australian racing driver Mark Webber has today started rumours that he may race the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12-hour in 2015.

Only days after racing his last Grand Prix in Formula 1 at Brazil, Webber already has his eyes on to conquer Australia’s endurance event at Mount Panorama, running under the Porsche banner.

The ex-Red Bull driver was asked on Twitter by a fan if he was going to run the Bathurst 12 Hour this year with the German team next year, with Webber’s reply “No 2015″.

Webber has also indicated that he will co-drive with Australian actor Eric Bana and Olympic rower James Tomkins.

Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour media manager Richard Craill believes this is fantastic news and can’t wait to see what Webber brings to the event.

“If Mark comes out, it will obviously be a massive boost for the event, he’s the biggest name in Australian motorsport on a global level and has a significant fan base both here and overseas,” said Craill.

“The reaction alone from him tweeting about coming and racing in 2015 has been massive, there is obviously a huge want for him to come and do it.

“The one thing we need to stress is that, at the moment, this is all coming off the back of Mark getting on Twitter – so fingers crossed he goes on record about it sooner rather than later and ‘officially’ commits to it!”

Webber is yet to officialy confirm if he will race in the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.

Written by Loren Hazelwood. @LorenHazelwood

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/mark-webber-to-drive-at-bathurst-12-hour-with-eric-bana-and-james-tomkins/#sthash.n2IHwNPt.dpuf

Cheers Mark, G’Day Dan

Formula 1, Spultured

Well, another season of Formula 1 is done and dusted, with the time now coming to say goodbye to our Aussie mate, Mark Webber.

And what a great finale at Brazil. Webber got an OK start (for him…) before carving through the field, making outstanding passes on Lewis Hamilton and one of his best mates Fernando Alonso, proving to me that he still has it – even at his last race. Watching him just made me realise this was going to be the last time we were going to see old mate Webber on the track in a Formula 1 car.

Webber had a fantastic career, showing us Australians that he could do it and by hell – he has made us proud. It was just fantastic to see him holding the Aussie flag on the podium in Brazil and I’m sure he will be doing our country just as proud while racing for Porsche next year.

Before all of the fame and fast race cars, Webber took the gamble to go from racing Formula Fords in Australia to trying his hand in Europe. Along the way he made it look possible that even without a lot of money, you could still make it to the pinnacle of motor racing.

webber

And thank God he did. With Webber departing from Red Bull Racing and ditching his rival Sebastian Vettel, our fresh new Aussie talent Daniel Ricciardo gets his chance. Stepping up from the Toro Rosso Formula 1 team to Red Bull Racing, he gets his show with arguably the strongest team in the series, period.

Ricciardo of course will have a tonne of pressure next year, but the young Aussie knows he can do it. Moreover, the blonde German won’t threaten him, something which is slightly hard to imagine considering his teammate is a four times world champion.

So Mark, you have done Australia proud over the years. From your first Grand Prix in Australia, to finishing on the podium in your final race, we have been lucky to have someone like yourself. You demonstrated to the world what true Aussie grit really is. Thankyou, you’ve been a blast to watch.

Now c’mon Dan, show this German how it is done.

20 years since Ayrton Senna’s last Australian F1 victory

Fiasco Sports, Formula 1

This week marks 20 years since Ayrton Senna took his final race win at the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide, 1993.

Ayrton Senna on the pdium with Alain Prost in 1993 at Adelaide. Source: Adelaide Now

Ayrton Senna on the podium with Alain Prost in 1993 at Adelaide. Source: Adelaide Now

Two decades ago Ayrton Senna sprayed the champagne taking his 41st Formula 1 Grand Prix victory on the streets of Adelaide, which was sadly his last.

It was that tragic day, 1 May 1994, Senna’s last drive, his Rothmans Williams Renault speared off at the Tamburello corner at the San Marino circuit, a crash that Senna unfortunately could not walk away from.

The 34 year old Brazilian suffered severe head trauma, succumbing to his injuries.

Debate still centres the cause of the crash that took the three time world champions life.

Source: Sportsphoto/Allstar

Source: Sportsphoto/Allstar

Senna will always be remembered by his amazing Formula 1 racing accomplishments.

Senna held many Formula 1 records which have been beaten in recent times, one that will stand the test of time is Senna’s record of ‘Highest percentage of front row starts in a season’ 100% in 1989.

Although Senna shares this amazing record with Alain Prost and Damon Hill, the record is perfection, what Senna strived for.

Source: Getty Images

Source: Getty Images

The Senna V Prost rivalry, will never be forgotten. Prost was seen by the public as Senna’s worst enemy, but is now known for working on The Ayrton Senna foundation, which was formed by Viviane Senna, sister to Ayrton.

Senna will always be remembered for his brave overtaking manoeuvres and aggression on the track, while attaining an impressive Formula 1 resume that made Formula 1 fans around the world fall in love with him.

Senna defending Nigel Mansell to win the Monaco Grand Prix. Source: Daily Mail

Senna defending Nigel Mansell to win the Monaco Grand Prix. Source: Daily Mail

Senna was adored in Brazil and the nation went into mourning long after his passing.

Senna is one of the greatest, one can not begin to imagine how the records would look if tragedy did not unfold on that dark San Marino weekend when the Formula 1 world also lost Roland Ratzenberger, that one Sunday that Senna did not want to race.

Written by Loren Hazelwood. @LorenHazelwood 

Source: Getty Images

Source: Getty Images

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/20-years-on-since-sennas-australian-gp-victory/#sthash.DXpDS4HD.dpuf

What A Bloody Rush

Film and TV, Formula 1, Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Spultured

RUSH

Ladies and Gentleman, fasten your seatbelts because Rush is by far one of the most inspiring yet adrenalin pumping movies you could ever watch. Whether you’re a racing fanatic or know nothing about those things that move on four wheels, this movie is a winner.

Directed by Academy Award Winner Ron Howard and written by Peter Morgan, Rush is based on the true story of Niki Lauder and James Hunt’s rivalry in Formula 1 back in the late 70’s, entering a world that most Formula 1 fans would have never discovered.

The movie is rather long, but definitely worth the time. It starts off with Lauder and Hunt’s rivalry back in the Formula 3 days, showing straight from the start how different the two characters were and how they progressed to the pinnacle of open wheel racing leading in two different directions.

If you aren’t familiar with the rivalry between these two amazing drivers and the 1976 Formula 1 season, I’d strongly suggest you Google it before watching the movie. The way Howard conducts the life of these two drivers is impeccable, with Australian actor Chris Hemsworth (James Hunt) and Daniel Brühl (Niki Lauder) turning in outstanding performances as these Formula 1 champions.

This movie shows the audience just how dedicated you have to be to race in Formula 1, especially when it’s life or death. Rush will definitely keep you on the edge throughout, making you wonder just how those two drivers survived racing all those years ago.

If you loved Senna and World’s Fastest Indian, I’d strongly suggest you go see this when it hits cinemas (October 3). Rush follows a similar storyline to the World’s Fastest Indian, yet draws you in on the true story just like Senna. Motorsport fan or not, this movie is a must see.

Keep your eyes peeled and go feel the rush – everyone’s driven by something.

Daniel Ricciardo Confirmed at Red Bull for 2014

Fiasco Sports, Formula 1

The long awaited rumour has been confirmed – Australian Daniel Ricciardo is set to join Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull Racing for 2014

Daniel Ricciardo. Image: Wayne Lubdey. Source: Herald Sun

Image: Wayne Lubdey/Herald Sun

Australian Daniel Ricciardo today confirmed that he will join the current championship winning team Red Bull Racing for next year alongside current world champion Sebastian Vettel.

The 24-year-old has signed a multi-year agreement to race for the Infiniti team, after ending months of speculation since fellow Australian Mark Webber announced his retirement from the sport at the end of this season.

The Western Australian has been linked with Red Bull since entering the Formula 1 grid.

He was originally their test driver in 2011, before joining the Red Bull sponsored Torro Rosso team in 2012.

“Next year I’ll be with a championship-winning team, arguably the best team and will be expected to deliver,” said Ricciardo.

“I’m not here to run around in 10th place, I want to get the best results for myself and the team.

“It will be a great challenge to be up against Sebastian Vettel; I’m looking forward to that.”

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner stated that the decision to take Ricciardo on board was an easy one.

“It’s fantastic to confirm Daniel as one of the team’s race drivers for 2014,” said Horner.

“He’s a very talented youngster, he’s committed, he’s got a great attitude and in the end it was a very logical choice for us to choose Daniel.

“Daniel knows what the team expects from him; he’ll learn quickly and it’s very much a medium to long term view that we’re taking in developing him.

Australian Webber praised Red Bull’s decision and personally used Twitter to congratulate Ricciardo.

Screen Shot 2013-09-03 at 11.27.05 AM

The next round of the FIA Formula 1 championship will start this Friday with practice at Monza, while Ricciardo currently sits at 14th in the championship.

Written by Loren Hazelwood

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/daniel-ricciardo-confirmed-at-red-bull-for-2014/#sthash.G3biHoYv.dpuf

Australian F3 Driver on the Road to Recovery

Fiasco Sports, Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship

Despite being involved in a monstrous crash at Hidden Valley in Darwin a few weeks ago, Steel Guiliana will be racing his Formula 3 at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend. 

Australian Formula 3 driver Steel Guiliana is set to race at this weekend’s round of the championship at Sydney Motorsport Park despite being involved in a crash at Hidden Valley a few weeks ago.

The 22-year-old endured the effects of a high impact crash at turn one, hitting the tyre barriers at the end of the 1.2km straight reaching speeds of 230 k/ph.

Fortunately Guiliana walked away unhurt due to the safety standards of the Formula 3 cars, however his car was too damaged to continue the rest of the round at Hidden Valley.

Guiliana climbed into Team BRM’s car for this weekend’s round of the championship at Sydney Motorsport Park, with the team at R-Tek Motorsport working tirelessly to prepare the car in a short period.

“The team have done a great job to turn this car around ready for Sydney and have been very supportive after my big accident,” said Guiliana.

“It certainly knocked me around but shortly after the race I felt fine and was keen to get back out there.”

“I hope we can have a strong return to the front at my home race and get our championship back on track.”

Guiliana will be racing at his home circuit this weekend, with the Sydney driver currently sixth in the Australian Formula 3 championship.

 

Written by Loren Hazelwood @LorenHazelwood

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/australian-f3-driver-on-the-road-to-recovery/#sthash.4svSM40C.dpuf

A Tribute to Retiring Webber

Formula 1, Spultured

mark_webber_5

Australian Formula 1 driver Mark Webber last night ended all of the rumours circulating the pit paddock and announced he will be moving from the Infiniti Red Bull Racing team to be apart of Porsche’s World Endurance Championship sportscar program.

We can’t ignore the fact that Webber and his young German teammate Sebastian Vettel did not get along like a house on fire, but this was not a considering factor of why the Australian decided to leave the sport.

The 36-year-old believed it was perfect timing to join Porsche’s program, as he believes it is a sensational challenge and the perfect timing for his future work.

With Webber announcing this ground-shaking news, I thought it was time that I’d look at the highlights of the Aussie’s racing career and how it all started.

It all began in 1991, when Mark started racing sprint go-karts around Australia competing against some great names in Australian motorsport. It was only a few years later in 1994 when Webber started racing in open-wheelers.

Formula Ford in Australia in the mid-nineties was the lead way for young Australian drivers who wanted to further their motor racing career.

Mark Webber in his Formula Ford

Mark Webber in his Formula Ford

Mark Webber then struggled with funds for his racing, going over to the UK with virtually no money. Webber raced at the prestigious Formula Ford Festival in 1995 at the Brands Hatch circuit, finishing an astonishing third place on debut.

The 19-year-old at the time was then offered a factory drive with Van Diemen to compete in the European and British Formula Ford championships. Webber went on to win the 1996 British Formula Ford festival that year, which in many cases was known to be a gateway for Formula 1.

After competing in Formula Ford for three years, Webber graduated to Formula 3000 with Alan Docking Racing for the 1997 championship in Europe. Without having a stronger financial backing like Webber and his team had in the Formula Ford season, Webber and the team nearly had to pull out of racing the category halfway through. Fortunately an Australian personal investor came on board and financially helped Webber out.

Webber was approached at the end of his Formula 3 campaign by Mercedes-AMG to compete in a sports car race. He traveled all around the world racing at Japan, Europe and the United States, but his sports car career came to an early end after an aerodynamic fault, which caused Webber to go airborne and flip twice in practice for the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Webber escaped without injury, but this ended the Mercedes campaign and saw Webber return to open-wheel racing.

Mark Webber's aerodynamic failure at Le Mans

Mark Webber’s aerodynamic failure at Le Mans

Webber made his first steps in Formula 1 in 1999, testing for Arrows F1 team. It wasn’t until 2002 when Mark made his debut racing in Formula 1, where he was teamed up with Minardi Asiatech. Webber impressed on his debut, racing at his home Australian Grand Prix. He qualified 18th for the race, but managed to climb his way through the field to grab fifth place, claiming the first ever points for the Minardi Asiatech team.

2009 marked an important year when Webber was racing for Red Bull that Webber qualified on pole for the first time in Formula 1 at the Nüburgring. This was the first time an Australian driver had claimed pole position since Alan Jones back in 1980. He went on to achieve his first Formula 1 victory despite receiving a drive through penalty early in the race for causing an avoidable collision at the start. Webber went on to dominate the race and win ahead of his teammate Vettel, heading a Red Bull 1–2.

Mark Webber's debut in Formula 1 finishing in fifth

Mark Webber’s debut in Formula 1 finishing in fifth

After the German Grand Prix, Webber was ready to take charge in the championship campaign for 2010, having great success in the season taking victories at the Spanish, Monaco and Hungarian Grand Prix’s. Webber unfortunately lost the championship battle to his younger teammate Sebastian Vettel, but finished in third place.

As the tension grew between Vettel and Webber at Red Bull, Webber was determined to go better in 2011. The Australian had to wait all year to claim victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix, but remained consistent throughout the year to claim third place in the driver’s championship.

After coming so close the previous year’s before for the championship title, Webber in 2012 won the British and Monaco Grand Prix’s, which he claims to this day are his sweetest victories.

Webber this year haven’t yet claimed a race victory and is currently sixth in the championship, so it was very interesting to find out that he announced the end of his Formula 1 campaign. He has come so close, yet for the 36-year-old other plans have come in the way and the Aussie believes Porsches is the way to go.

Mark Webber celebrating at Monaco in 2012

Mark Webber celebrating at Monaco in 2012

Despite having a huge crash at Le Man’s many years ago in his AMG-Mercedes, Webber believes he can overcome his fear of racing at Le Mans and give it a red hot go.

All the best to Webber and his sports car career, it will be sad to see an Australian leave the sport who has brought much joy to the Formula 1 paddock and will be sadly missed.

Let’s see if our young Aussie driver at Toro Rosso Daniel Ricciardo can take his seat at Red Bull Racing!