[Mark Webber of Red Bull Racing-Renault in Formula 1. Credit: Unknown.]
After the race is over in Brazil tomorrow, Mark Webber will be done with Formula 1. In interviews this week leading up to this swansong race, he has indicated that if there were not aspects of the sport that he no longer enjoyed or would be glad to leave behind, he would not be leaving. That makes sense coming from the teammate of a four-time consecutive World Champion who is 11 years younger than he is. It can't be easy being Sebastian Vettel's teammate, no matter when you're in that position, much less at a time when the young champion seems to have a growing momentum in the sport, both literally and figuratively, on his side.
I found myself cheering for Webber as the underdog in this two-man Red Bull race against the rest of the field in the last two seasons. There were scraps between them in some races, but mostly, I think, arguably a Formula 1 racer races against himself. Certainly, an athlete as well-rounded in sports in general as Webber seems to be, must do that. He is testing his own physical limits with those of the race car he is contracted to drive. Who can blame Mr. Webber for wanting to get out of a sport at age 37 before his skills slip below that which he expects of himself. Many long-term observers say that he could have been a World Champion in Formula 1 in a non-Vettel era. How many racers could that be said about who came along at the same time as other multi-year champions? There have to be many of them. Sometimes having unfortunate, bad luck and timing at a sport you love and are exceptional at performing in must be worse in some ways than having no luck at all to get you there in the first place.
It will probably take time for the impact of all that has happened to him in his Formula 1 career sinks in to form a kind of wisdom from experience in Mark Webber. He has his Porsche career to explore starting very soon, and that must play itself out. Other drivers have left F1 and gone back. That could be an option, too; who knows, in the future?
Good luck, Mr. Webber, as you move forward from Formula 1. You can start fresh with new opportunities and challenges, and people will be excited to see how your driving skills transfer to endurance racing.
I think Red Bull and Mr. Vettel will miss you more than they may think. You've been an integral part of that well-organized, unified team that got it to where it is now. Major changes in drivers and cars coming in 2014 could upset the Red Bull/Vettel momentum, or not.
Either way, at least you won't have to drink that Red Bull energy drink -- or pretend to -- any more.
They're a fun sponsor for the sport and its fans and obviously one great team in motorsports, but seriously, did you ever really drink that stuff? <jk> I suspect having the opportunity to drive any Porsche that strikes your fancy on a typical Tuesday night just might be a bit more fun.
Have a good race tomorrow. And the tomorrows after that.
Take care.
