Mark Webber discusses retirement and the 'shoey'

  • Published on 27 Oct 2016 17:02
  • comments 0
  • By: Dominik Wilde

Mark Webber has shed some light on his decision to retire at the end of the season.

The Australian, who raced in Formula One from 2002-2013 and the World Enduarance championship since 2014, is hanging up his helmet at the end of the year one year after claiming the WEC crown.

Speaking to Financial Review, the former Red Bull driver said that while he still enjoyed racing, he didn't feel like taking risks any longer.

"My best days are over," he said."There's so many guys that hang on and they get caught up in 50-50 chances and all sorts of things."

"I want to stop when I'm driving really well, which I am right now. But to continue, there's more downside than upside," he added. "I don't need to be going to races and taking risks."

Since leaving F1, his place at both Red Bull Racing, and in the hearts of Australian F1 fans' hearts has been taken by Daniel Ricciardo.

The 27-year-old is hugely popular and has started the 'shoey' craze, which sees him drink champagne from his shoe on the podium.

However, despite the stunt being repeated in MotoGP and Australian Supercars, Webber thinks it's run it's course.

"Fortunately drivers wear new boots each race and Spa is cool so the boot wasn't too sweaty," said Webber who did a 'shoey' when conducting the podium interviews in Spa last August. "It was like drinking champagne through a Nomex filter."

"It was fun at the time and it's good that in Formula One we can lighten things up a bit, but the shoey has run its course and I think Daniel knows that," he said. "It's time for a new party trick."

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Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 1,043
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  • Country AU
  • Date of b. Jul 1 1989 (33)
  • Place of b. Perth, AU
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
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