NEWS
Webber to Porsche
German sports car brand set to confirm Mark Webber as Le Mans starMark Webber is set to join Porsche. Australia’s number one Grand Prix driver, Webber will drive for the iconic German brand at next year’s Le Mans 24 Hour. The 2014 race will be a much heralded return to the premier LM P1 class for Porsche. The brand recently unveiled the hybrid racer that will spearhead the return.
Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller let hints of the Webber appointment slip earlier today Australian time during interviews at the launch of the plug-in Panamera.
The Porsche boss also told motoring.com.au that Porsche would stage a multi-car comeback at the French endurance classic. Indeed, he stated Porsche could enter as many as three factory cars to take on the might of Audi and Toyota.
“The decision was at first two cars but as we all know from the statistic point of view, three cars may make a success more sure. But then we need three drivers more and one complete team more. So we will wait and see what the rest of the year will bring and at the end of the year we will discuss again whether we can afford the third team and whether it makes sense or not,” the Porsche CEO told motoring.com.au.
Mueller was evasive on the details of Webber’s signing. He did confirm, however, that Porsche has already signed three drivers for its LMP1 program. Nonetheless, his statements clearly reflected Webber’s imminent arrival.
"We should have the team [of drivers] complete in the [Northern Hemisphere] autumn because they should have the opportunity to learn the car and to give the engineers the feedback and so on."
When quizzed whether Webber F1 commitments would make this timeline difficult, Mueller told motoring.com.au’s Bruce Newton: “But he would have some time between the Formula One races ... and he is such a good driver he would overcome this.”
And if Red Bull team sponsor Infiniti stopped Webber?
“That would be a pity,” the Porsche boss stated.
Mueller contend’s Porsche’s LM P1 program needs the best talent.
“We are looking for the best drivers and it doesn’t matter where they have been before, they have to be fast and they have to fit to our team... If someone is fast and if he fits to our team, so why not? And if Mark Webber is such a guy, why not?” he stated.
– with staff
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
Share this article
Written byBruce Newton
See all articlesOur team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Related articles
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
Contact
Local marketplaces
International marketplaces
Download the carsales app
