[h=2]WEC: Webber looks to retirement as title rivals prep for Bahrain climax[/h] Monday, 14 November 2016


RACER staff
Mark Webber says he is looking forward to the end of his career as a racing driver after this weekend's Bahrain World Endurance Championship finale.


The 40-year-old Australian announced his retirement from the cockpit last month, bringing an end to a career that included nine Formula 1 grand prix victories with Red Bull and the LMP1 world championship with Porsche during his three-year post-F1 stint with the German manufacturer.



"We would love to go out with a victory, but irrespective of the result, it would be nice for me to have a smooth day and look back on a very, very long career of which I'm very proud," said Webber. "I will walk away from the car just one more time – take the helmet and balaclava off and the ear plugs out, doing all these things for one last time. That will be very different, but I'm looking forward to not having to do this in the future."
Webber added that he is prepared for the "big moment" of retirement to make for an emotional final weekend.
"Bahrain is obviously not a normal race for me, it will be pretty emotional," he said. "To arrive there knowing it is the last time I will compete seriously will be a big moment. I'm looking forward to the weekend.
"I've got a lot of friends coming from all around the world, especially from Australia and Europe, to watch me drive for the last time."