10 Reasons Why F1 Will Suck Without Webber

Image source: Getty Images

Mark Webber leaves Formula 1 at the end of the year. However, he's not retiring from racing for good as he takes on a new challenge with Porsche and the World Endurance Championship. The 36-year-old is a popular guy in the F1 paddock, and it helps that he's also an extremely highly-rated racing driver. He'll definitely be missed when he leaves the sport; here are a few good reasons why:

1. He doesn't take himself seriously

You don't expect an F1 driver to appear in an advert for milk, let alone sing in one. Webber really doesn't take himself too seriously, which is why he agreed to this advert for Canberra milk. YouTube viral sensation? Not quite...

2. He wears his heart on his sleeve

F1 drivers rarely show much emotion when put in front of a TV screen. However, Mark has always managed to get across exactly how he's feeling. Not only that, he's honest too.

This interview from 2010 showed his understandable anger when Vettel's car was given Webber's new nosecone following a shunt.

3. He believes he can fly...

The 36-year-old tried to fly once. It didn't work. In all fairness, Webber is one tough cookie to emerge unscathed and relatively unshaken from this huge airborne smash at the 2010 European Grand Prix.

His car flipped into the air after making contact with the rear of Heikki Kovalainen's Lotus, landing the wrong way up before hitting the barriers. Fortunately, he emerged unscathed and didn't seem fazed.

4. Moving on up

Webber's career isn't anything like Hamilton or Vettel's. He didn't take a year to make it to the top. Instead, it took him eight tough seasons to score his first race win and drive for a team with the potential of challenging at the front.

5. He's a lad

Mmm ok... Just once @JensonButton that's ok huh??? pic.twitter.com/AZqXz7E3wz— Mark Webber (@AussieGrit) August 23, 2013

Webber was caught in the act at the Belgian Grand Prix earlier in the year, admiring Jenson Button's girlfriend Jessica Michibata. What a lad.

6. He's faster than Vettel in a Liana

Image source: BBC

He may not be fastest on the Top Gear F1 driver leader board, but the most important thing is that he beat team-mate Sebastian Vettel.

It was the Aussie's second appearance on the show after previously taking part in series six. Fourteen series on and he was back for another bite at the cherry. This time it was in dry conditions and he managed to haul the Liana around the Top Gear test track in 1min 43.1sec, nine tenths faster than his Red Bull team-mate.

7. Webber's a risk taker

Not many people can say that they've overtaken at the famous Eau Rouge corner in Spa. Mark Webber can, however, which proves that he's willing to take risks. That overtake on Fernando Alonso back in 2011 was a heart-in-mouth moment and one he pulled off to eventually finish in second place.

 8. He's also a funny guy

Mark Webber is a popular guy in the F1 paddock and it's easy to see why. He's got a great sense of humour, something that's rare to find on an ego-laden F1 grid.

9. His incredible facial expressions

Formula 1 photographers seem to capture Webber at strange times, but with hilarious results. Here are a few examples we dare you to look at without laughing:

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10. He's a damn good racing driver

Image source: Getty Images

Webber may not have won a world championship, but he certainly deserved to. He's proven himself to be a brilliant racing driver who, like Jenson Button, spent a number of years driving at below-par teams and with poorly-designed machinery. The Aussie has driven some spectacular races including his debut win at the Nurburgring and when tackling the streets of Monaco en route to race victories in 2010 and 2012.

Image source: Getty Images

Not only that, but he's one of those rare racing drivers who excels not only in single seaters but also in sportscars as well. Before he made his F1 debut, Mark competed in the FIA GT championship and Le Mans 24 Hours with success.

Mark Webber, we salute you!