Red Bull veteran Mark Webber says his decision retire from Formula One at the end of the season was the 'perfect timing' for him. The Australian, who made his F1 debut with Minardi Racing team in 2002, will be joining sports car manufacturer Porsche next season.
Following the retirement of Michael Schumacher and Pedro de la Rosa last winter, the 37-year-old will be the third racer to quit F1 in a year's span. Webber, a veteran of 203 Grands Prix, will turn turn 37 in August.
"Well, the timing is perfect for me. Very, very excited about my new chapter and the new challenge ahead. One of the most famous and most well-respected brands in automotive and motor racing in Porsche, so that's something which personally I'm very satisfied about taking on," Webber said recently.
On being asked about a sudden retirement decision, the Australian replied, "The decision has been there for quite a long time for me actually. So, I've known for quite a while, I've had a plan and I've stuck to it. But still, in the meantime, respecting the profession that I have now at this level and focusing on achieving very, very strong results in my last season in Formula One."
The 2013 season has been topsy-turvy for Webber. After finishing sixth in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix he clinched second spot at the controversial Malaysian GP. Three-time world champion Sebastian Vettel snatched victory from him at Sepang by ignoring the team's order not to overtake him. As a result Webber, who could have been crowned as winner, had to contend with a second-place finish.
Replying on the controversial incidents, a humble Webber said: "There's lot of reasons that come into the pot when any sportsman or woman comes to that time in their career when they want to call it a day. That's another small ingredient," he admitted.
He also alluded to the big regulation changes in F1 for next season. "That is another small ingredient: there's going to be big, big changes in this sport next year, so I may as well go and do those big, big changes where my future is going to be. Let's see how the category is next year in Formula One - I'll be interested to watch every now and then and go from there. Watch these guys do their stuff."
However, Webber insisted that he is fully focused on winning more races and helping Red Bull retain their world title this season too. "Going forward for the rest of the season it doesn't change a huge amount because I've known the decision [for a while. At this level the effort to get the car out there, I'm fully respectful of that, so I need to keep pushing for both myself and the team," he said.
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