Mark Webber completed his first LMP1 test for Porsche yesterday (December 10th) at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal.
The Aussie's Formula 1 career came to an end at the Brazilian Grand Prix last month. He finished behind his Red Bull Racing team-mate Sebastian Vettel in second place.
The 37-year-old announced his departure from F1 after 11 seasons just prior to the British Grand Prix in June, confirming that he will return to endurance racing for the first time since 1999 and front Porsche's LMP1 programme in the World Endurance Championship and at the coveted Le Mans 24 Hours.
He wasn't supposed to get behind the wheel of the German marque's hybrid LMP1 car until January, but Red Bull agreed to release him early from his contract.
The nine-time F1 winner will officially join the Porsche factory team on January 1st. "My first day in this fascinating project was an intense experience for me," he said.
"I would like to thank Red Bull Racing for giving me the chance to join the project so early. This is a major and important step for us all. It allows me to integrate with the team quicker and to contribute to further developing the LMP1 race car. We have a long way to go and it involves a lot of hard work. I have no misconceptions about this."
Webber's schedule for the car's final test of 2013 focused on suspension and tyre testing with its partner Michelin. The car has already gained mileage at Magny-Cours and Paul Ricard (both in France), Monza in Italy and the Eurospeedway Lausitz in Germany.
Porsche will field two LMP1 cars in the WEC in 2014. Alongside Webber, three other drivers have already been signed for the up-coming campaign: Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Neel Jani.
Webber will make his World Endurance Championship debut at Silverstone on April 20th.
He shared this tweet with fans after the test:
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| (c) Porsche |
The 37-year-old announced his departure from F1 after 11 seasons just prior to the British Grand Prix in June, confirming that he will return to endurance racing for the first time since 1999 and front Porsche's LMP1 programme in the World Endurance Championship and at the coveted Le Mans 24 Hours.
He wasn't supposed to get behind the wheel of the German marque's hybrid LMP1 car until January, but Red Bull agreed to release him early from his contract.
The nine-time F1 winner will officially join the Porsche factory team on January 1st. "My first day in this fascinating project was an intense experience for me," he said.
"I would like to thank Red Bull Racing for giving me the chance to join the project so early. This is a major and important step for us all. It allows me to integrate with the team quicker and to contribute to further developing the LMP1 race car. We have a long way to go and it involves a lot of hard work. I have no misconceptions about this."
Webber's schedule for the car's final test of 2013 focused on suspension and tyre testing with its partner Michelin. The car has already gained mileage at Magny-Cours and Paul Ricard (both in France), Monza in Italy and the Eurospeedway Lausitz in Germany.
Porsche will field two LMP1 cars in the WEC in 2014. Alongside Webber, three other drivers have already been signed for the up-coming campaign: Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Neel Jani.
Webber will make his World Endurance Championship debut at Silverstone on April 20th.
He shared this tweet with fans after the test:
Next chapter.
Enjoyed driving her today.
@Porsche pic.twitter.com/iPN4N5cD32
— Mark Webber (@AussieGrit) December 10, 2013
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