With the news of his retirement the world of Formula One says goodbye to one of the great drivers in the recent history of the sport. Great, but not the greatest.
With nine wins included in thirty six podiums, the likeable
Australian has amassed more points that the majority of drivers can ever hope
for when starting their career. But this
isn't the whole picture. While quick, the Australian lacks one key ingredient.
Mental strength.
When he burst onto the scene at the 2002 season the man from New South Wales offered something different from those who had come before him. He was relaxed, his bluntness refreshing. A fifth place finish in the chaos that was the opening round of the season meant Webber remained the media darling throughout his debut season.
The Interlagos circuit is one engulfed in history. So often home of the Championship decider, it's early season slot did little to dampen it's magic. With rain falling just minutes before lights out, Webber found himself watching the impending drama from third on the grid. By outperforming his car the Australian had once again shown his undoubted talent, but it was the events that followed which would cast a glimpse into the then twenty five year olds future.
As the race passed two thirds distance Webber found himself in a comfortable 7th place. His first points of the season were just a few laps away when his struck the wall coming out of the final corner.
What had caused the Australian to travel headlong into the concrete barrier at over 150mph? Mental weakness.
Much can be gained by examining the drivers who succeed in the wet. Senna, Schumacher, Hamilton Button and Vettel all thrive in these conditions, and all are World Champions. It's no coincidence.
Another few seasons in the midfield followed before Webber's much heralded move to Red Bull in 2007. Partnering the experienced David Coulthard the team were able to build a solid base of expertise on which they would eventually reap the rewards. As the team's performance began to improve whispers began circulating about Webber Championship credentials. These were short lived.
Soon it was Webber's young German team mate who was the centre of attention. Following his arrival in 2009 Vettel immediately outperformed his experienced Australian counterpart. Indeed it was he who brought the team their first victory in the wet of Shanghai.
When he burst onto the scene at the 2002 season the man from New South Wales offered something different from those who had come before him. He was relaxed, his bluntness refreshing. A fifth place finish in the chaos that was the opening round of the season meant Webber remained the media darling throughout his debut season.
 |
| Webber racing for Minardi in 2002 |
A much deserved move to Jaguar followed, with the Australian gaining a
reputation as the King of Qualifying. In hindsight the 2003 Brazilian Grand
Prix summed up Webber's career.
The Interlagos circuit is one engulfed in history. So often home of the Championship decider, it's early season slot did little to dampen it's magic. With rain falling just minutes before lights out, Webber found himself watching the impending drama from third on the grid. By outperforming his car the Australian had once again shown his undoubted talent, but it was the events that followed which would cast a glimpse into the then twenty five year olds future.
As the race passed two thirds distance Webber found himself in a comfortable 7th place. His first points of the season were just a few laps away when his struck the wall coming out of the final corner.
What had caused the Australian to travel headlong into the concrete barrier at over 150mph? Mental weakness.
Much can be gained by examining the drivers who succeed in the wet. Senna, Schumacher, Hamilton Button and Vettel all thrive in these conditions, and all are World Champions. It's no coincidence.
Another few seasons in the midfield followed before Webber's much heralded move to Red Bull in 2007. Partnering the experienced David Coulthard the team were able to build a solid base of expertise on which they would eventually reap the rewards. As the team's performance began to improve whispers began circulating about Webber Championship credentials. These were short lived.
Soon it was Webber's young German team mate who was the centre of attention. Following his arrival in 2009 Vettel immediately outperformed his experienced Australian counterpart. Indeed it was he who brought the team their first victory in the wet of Shanghai.
Note the weather conditions.
While Webber bounced back, taking the first of his nine grand prix victories at the Nurburgring that same season, the theme for future failure had been set. Finishing 14.5 points behind Vettel when the Championship came to a close, Webber had been beaten by his team mate for the first time in his career. He would never be the same.
His Red Bull was now a car capable of consistently challenging for the top step of the podium. So long known for outperforming his car, Webber now struggled to even match it.
In the three seasons that followed Vettel won three straight championships with the Australian finishing 3rd, 3rd and 6th. Good, but not good enough. The truth is the when put under pressure, Webber falters. Whether it be at the start of a Grand Prix or in the final seconds of Qualifying, his head isn't there.
Despite what has been said in the Press, the truth, and everyone knows it, is that Mark Webber's future was decided on 24th March 2013. The Malaysian Grand Prix.
Leading at half distance Webber looked a certainty to take the win, his team had told he and Vettel the race for the lead was over, and that the Australian should not be challenged. His triple World Champion team mate had other ideas.
Taking it on himself to battle with, and then pass Webber, Vettel had shown in just a few laps the difference between him and his team mate. Even after dropping to second Webber chose not to fight back, instead choosing to sulk and settle for second.
Would Vettel have done the same had the situation been reversed? No. The German's fight evident from the moment he and Webber clashed in Istanbul back in 2010.
Malaysia was the final straw for Webber. Feeling betrayed by both his team mate and his team he sought a way out of F1, finding it at Porsche, and a place in the World Endurance Championship.
This is the easy way out. The difficult option would have been to stay and battle with Vettel, to do all in his power to finally beat the German. For me it is a shame we are being robbed of this.
While Webber bounced back, taking the first of his nine grand prix victories at the Nurburgring that same season, the theme for future failure had been set. Finishing 14.5 points behind Vettel when the Championship came to a close, Webber had been beaten by his team mate for the first time in his career. He would never be the same.
His Red Bull was now a car capable of consistently challenging for the top step of the podium. So long known for outperforming his car, Webber now struggled to even match it.
In the three seasons that followed Vettel won three straight championships with the Australian finishing 3rd, 3rd and 6th. Good, but not good enough. The truth is the when put under pressure, Webber falters. Whether it be at the start of a Grand Prix or in the final seconds of Qualifying, his head isn't there.
Despite what has been said in the Press, the truth, and everyone knows it, is that Mark Webber's future was decided on 24th March 2013. The Malaysian Grand Prix.
Leading at half distance Webber looked a certainty to take the win, his team had told he and Vettel the race for the lead was over, and that the Australian should not be challenged. His triple World Champion team mate had other ideas.
Taking it on himself to battle with, and then pass Webber, Vettel had shown in just a few laps the difference between him and his team mate. Even after dropping to second Webber chose not to fight back, instead choosing to sulk and settle for second.
Would Vettel have done the same had the situation been reversed? No. The German's fight evident from the moment he and Webber clashed in Istanbul back in 2010.
 |
| Webber and Vettel's relationship was often in the public eye |
Malaysia was the final straw for Webber. Feeling betrayed by both his team mate and his team he sought a way out of F1, finding it at Porsche, and a place in the World Endurance Championship.
This is the easy way out. The difficult option would have been to stay and battle with Vettel, to do all in his power to finally beat the German. For me it is a shame we are being robbed of this.
The decision by Webber has led me to reach the conclusion that Webber himself never believed he could beat Sebastian. Had he believed, he would leave the sport a World Champion.
Instead we say goodbye to one of the nice guys in F1, one of the finest racers ever to grace the sport. But in years to come his name will be lost in the abyss of the unsuccessful.
Instead we say goodbye to one of the nice guys in F1, one of the finest racers ever to grace the sport. But in years to come his name will be lost in the abyss of the unsuccessful.
Sure we'll miss him, but he too has missed his place in history.
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