Mark Webber reflects on amazing F1 journey

Sao Paulo:  Mark Webber bade farewell to Formula One on Sunday with a typically gritty drive to second place in the Brazilian Grand Prix and without shedding a tear.

The 37-year-old Australian, who overcame a variety of obstacles on his 12-year journey from Queanbeyan to Interlagos, via Silverstone, Monaco and Milton Keynes, did his best to retain his dignity in an emotional paddock after claiming the 42nd podium finish of his career.

His boss, Red Bull team chief Christian Horner, said: “We spoke before the race and I said hopefully you’ll be there on the last lap — and told him to enjoy it and take it all in. It was a great finish for him.”

Not only did Webber enjoy it, he recorded the fastest lap of the race and then pulled off his visor and balaclava to make sure he absorbed the frenzied atmosphere at the season-ending race.

“Fantastic race, it’s been brilliant working with you,” shouted Horner on the team radio. “You can be proud of what you’ve done, we certainly are – very proud.”

After 215 races, Webber departed with nine wins and a host of memories, but without the world title he may have merited and taken had he not been partnered at Red Bull by the exceptional four-time champion Sebastian Vettel.

“It is inevitable you are going to have adversity in your career and some decisions you should have made differently,” admitted Webber.

“But you have to go with the flow and the decisions you make at the time.”

Webber’s final day started and ended with a flavour of Australia. He was welcomed into his garage with applause from his Red Bull team with the bush ballad “Waltzing Matilda” playing in the background….

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