Mark Webber has lifted the lid on why he did not join Ferrari despite holding advanced talks with the Maranello team. Webber made his debut on the Formula 1 grid back in 2001 when he made the step up from being an Arrows test driver to race with Benetton. And over the course of the subsequent 11 years he became one of the sport’s most recognisable faces by taking in stints at Minardi, Jaguar, Williams and Red Bull.
Mark Webber’s best seasons came in 2010, 2011 and 2013, with third place finishes in the World Drivers’ Championship coming at the end of each of those campaigns respectively. However, he has now revealed he might not have achieved those placings with Red Bull having had the opportunity to leave them for pit lane rivals Ferrari.
Mark Webber negotiated a potential move to the Pracing Horse with then team principal Stefano Domenicali: “But the terms on offer, as well as Luca di Montezemolo and Flavio Briatore’s sparring, meant the switch never went through. No, no, actually I had a meeting with Stefano in Monte Carlo and we came pretty close to agreeing terms,” Webber told Channel 4. – “I was very much actually looking forward to working with Stefano but I think it was actually the duration of the contract which was a bit of an issue for me. And also, at the time, Luca di Montezemolo, wanted me to go and see him in Italy and I had Flavio in my corner, so there was a little bit of arm wrestling going on. But, in the end, I would have definitely signed very quickly about a two-year fixed contract with Ferrari but it was options one-and-one. In the end I stayed at Red Bull.” – the Australian former professional racing driver explained.
Mark Webber has moved into the world of punditry since laying down his helmet one last time in 2016 following a spell in endurance racing.
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