2013 Brazilian Grand Prix – race report
Car 1 SEBASTIAN VETTEL, Finish Position: WINNER, Start Position: 1st
“I don’t want to compare the record what we have got today; it’s not fair as it was a different time when Ascari was driving. Cars broke down more often then and teams were less consistent, so therefore it’s a different type of record that we have got today. For all of us in the whole team we love coming to work and giving it all we have. There’s a great spirit and it’s sad in a way that the year comes to an end, but that’s how it is. I’m sure everyone’s looking forward to a break to get the batteries charged and to look forward to next year. My start wasn’t so good today, but I was able to get past Rosberg. It was hard to know what was going to happen in today’s race. When we came for the second pit stop, it was a late call and then we had to wait for the tyres. We managed to recover with some laps to go. Today was of course Mark’s last race. We didn’t have the best relationship, but nevertheless we always had respect for each other on a professional level and whatever was going on off-track, didn’t make a difference to us on track and we both pushed each other very hard. I certainly learned a lot from Mark. I learned to become a better driver, due to his impressive skills; that’s why I consider him one of the best drivers on the grid.”
Car 2 MARK WEBBER, Finish Position: 2nd, Start Position: 4th
“It was nice to take the helmet off for the final lap. In this sport it’s not always possible to give things a personal touch. We have the helmets on all the time, so the fans don’t always see a Formula One driver in a car without a helmet. It was nice to get it off and see the marshals and the fans; it was just a really nice thing to experience. I heard a lot of noises that I don’t normally hear. The difficult part for me today was actually getting in to the car for the final time. I was overcome with some emotion then to be honest. That moment of the helmet going on and stepping into the car was actually the strongest emotion I’ve had all day. Then crossing the line and seeing all the guys was great. Christian radioed me and said enjoy the last lap, which I did. I did it as slow as I could; it was a very special day. Seb and I have had our challenges over time and it’s easier to have a relationship with Fernando, as he’s in another team, but to finish on the podium with those two guys – well, they have been the best of this generation. I have raced them a lot and to finish with those guys was nice for me because it meant a lot, showing that I can drive well at the end of my career and that I got the timing right. Formula One is a sport which I’ve loved. I could never have dreamt of the career that I’ve had, the tremendous highs, the tough lows – you know they have to happen and you learn from adversity. The biggest and strongest memories you have are from when you are in the car; it’s what we were tuned and trained to do. Driving on the limit is what I was paid to do and what I enjoyed doing. They are the strongest memories you have as an individual at this level.”
CHRISTIAN HORNER, Team Principal: “What an incredible way to sign off not only a remarkable season, but also Mark’s career in Formula One. It was a fitting way to finish with a one-two finish. Sebastian claims yet another record and has driven like a true champion this year to have won 13 grand prix in one season; it’s a remarkable achievement and will be very difficult to surpass. For Mark, it was fantastic that he finished his Formula One career on the podium with a really gutsy drive. His moves on Rosberg, Hamilton and twice on Alonso showed what a real racer he is and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank him for the invaluable contribution that he’s made to the team, to the four Constructors’ Championships that we have won together and for all his hard work and efforts throughout the last seven years. As he moves on to a new challenge we wish him the very, very best to him and his family for the future.”
THIERRY SALVI, Renault: “A perfect way to close the V8 era: winning the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships and all the races since the summer break! Congratulations to all at Red Bull for the sheer amount of work they have done this year and for helping us secure the place of the Renault RS27 V8 in F1 history. Thank you to Mark who leaves us today: we wish him a lot of success in his future role.”
20 Comments
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Susan coy
on November 25, 2013Well done Mark I was shouting for you today so much that my voice has gone. I had tears in my eyes when the chequered flag was waved for the last time for you in formula one. (thought the fall on the floor was good)
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warren
on November 25, 2013Congrads on a third in the World championship. Thank you for your Aussie grit and keeping us entertained following your career. Best Wish’s Wassa
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Udo Jattke
on November 25, 2013Great job Mark i have followed your great career from start to Finnish and look forward to your next chapter in racing.I live in Far North Qld so no more waking my partner up in the early morning to watch you kick ass
cheers -
Mercè
on November 25, 2013Hola Mark.
Sòc la Mercè, de Catalunya.
He vist el final de la carrera, perque tenia un dinar familiar.
Per mi avui has guanyat, per mi ets el número 1, ets un senyor de cap a peus, com a persona i com a pilot.
Et trobarè molt a faltar, perque m’agradava veura’t a les curses.
Molta Sort en la teva nova etapa, i t’enire seguint.
Una Abraçada molt forta i un Petó. -
Mercè
on November 25, 2013Hi Mark.
‘m Merced, Catalonia.
I have seen the end of the race, because he had a family meal.
For now I’ve won for me are the number 1, you’re a gentleman from head to toe, as a person and as a rider.
I’ll be sorely missed, because I veura’t races.
Good luck in your new stage and t’enire following.
A big hug and a kiss. -
Barry
on November 25, 2013Thanks mark for many late nights and early mornings, you have proved yourself worthy as an Australian Great!! Congratulations on a fantastic career in F1 let’s hope your sportsmanship and skill has inspired the many young kids that watched you either on tv or with fingers in ears at Albert Park to rise up and grab the sport by the wheel and stick it to the Europeans in the future….
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Lawrence Nichols
on November 25, 2013Congrats Mark, You had a great race today 2rd and 3rd for the year, I’ve followed your progress from Jaguar to Redbull, and shed a tear when they sang Waltzing Matilda for you in the pits, realizing at that point your leaving F1, sad to see you go!
Cheer’s mate from one Aussie to another
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greg
on November 25, 2013Congratulations mighty man on a wonderful F1 career. I have followed you from the beginning of your career and was ever so proud of what you had achieved. Enjoy the next phase of your career and leaving behind a great legacy for other Australian drivers in the tough F1 scene.
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Bryan
on November 25, 2013Not only a great driver but a great ambassador for Australia & a great ambassador for F1, go and do your own thing now mate, you have deserved it
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Marc Grawunder
on November 25, 2013Formula 1 will miss you,Mark. Wish you all the best for your future!
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Daniel
on November 25, 2013Well done Mark, loved watching your last race in F1 this morning. Big congrats securing 3rd place in the Drivers Championship in the last race of the season. Best of luck with Porsche, hopefully we see some of these races televised in Australia.
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Joshua
on November 25, 2013Thanks Mark for showing us how things are done with class, you have won against all odds the appreciation of Millions of fans around the world, so sad to see you end your F1 career,and wishing you all the best in your new endeavours, hopefully TV stations in Australia will telecast the races you are involved in the future,no honest Australian males would deny having cried while watching you drive without helmet, showing your face in F1 for one last time for the benefit of all of us F1 enthusiast, all the very best mate!
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Trav
on November 25, 2013Mark Webber always gave 100%….and we fans just loved that about him. A class act, on and off the track….thanks for the memories. Still wished you had gone on for another two years, but totally get your point about timing. You are still competing against Seb and Fernando and Co…so great way to leave it. MW=Aussie ICON!!
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Tony Toth
on November 25, 2013Mark, thanks so much for the years of joy watching you race with grace and courage. So many people who raced along side of you should have looked up to you as a role model. We lived through the highs and lows with you. Best of luck with Porsche. Hope we can see some of the races on TV and not have to go to the cinema to see the newsreels like the old days.
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Nuno O`Neill
on November 25, 2013Great driveres,never endend well done even if never win a F1 championship it´s only statistics
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Corbs
on November 25, 2013A great way to close the curtains on your stellar F1 career Mark. All the best for 2014, here’s hoping Le Mans gets the appropriate media coverage down under!!
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Claudio Carvalho Rocha
on November 26, 2013Congratulations Mark for all these years.You are an amazing driver and human being.Yesterday when i saw your last lap without helmet i was thrilled and i’m sure all the great drivers of history like Senna,Villeneuve applauded you and your career.You really made his mark and we’ll never forget you.Thank you from the bottom of my heart
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Darrel
on November 26, 2013Thanks for the memories as they say.
saying good bye to man most of us have and will never meet, but have the quietly admired from a far distance back in Australia.
A huge and simple well done. -
AaX
on November 26, 2013From a Dragon to Another, JUST CONTINUE, DON’T STOP BECAUSE WINNER WINS ’THE FINAL’ ! We can already see Who YOU ARE. Later, Mate
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Samuel Garcia-Merás
on November 28, 2013Mucha suerte en el futuro. No cambies tu manera de ser.
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