Mark Webber announces retirement

Mark Webber has announced he will retire from racing at the end of this season.

The Australian, who has raced in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Porsche since leaving Formula One at the end of 2013 will continue to work with the German marque as a brand ambassador.

"I will miss the sheer speed, downforce and competition, but I want to leave on a high and I'm very much looking forward to my new tasks," said Webber. "I found I liked sharing a car and the chemistry between Timo, Brendon and me is special and something I'll always remember."

"It will be strange getting into the race car for the very last time in Bahrain but for now I will thoroughly enjoy every moment of the remaining races," he added.

Read more on our mobile websiteWebber, who made his F1 début with Minardi in 2002, won nine Grands Prix in a career spanning 12 seasons. His best championship result was third in 2010, 2011, and 2013.

In sports car racing, he has won seven WEC rounds, finishing second in last year's 24 Hours of Le Mans. He took the 2015 WEC championship title, racing alongside Timo Bernhard, and Brendon Hartley.