Mark’s British GP Preview
Mark is the only news story in town ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix. This morning he announced his decision to leave Formula One at the end of this year, and he’s been the focus of media attention ever since. First up was the FIA press conference.
“The timing is perfect for me,” said Mark. “I’m starting a new chapter in my career with Porsche, one of the most respected brands in the world, and I’m very excited about it. There are big regulation changes in F1 next year and I feel that I might as well make big changes where my future lies.
“I’ll miss racing against guys like Fernando [Alonso] and Lewis [Hamilton], and I’ll miss the moment when the guys walk away from the car on the grid. That’s the best legal drug you can get. But you’re not 25 forever and it’s important to make the decision to move on at the right time, when you’re still performing at the top.”
Everyone wanted a slice of Mark, but he had to switch his focus to the British Grand Prix as well. This is a race that he’s won twice before, most recently last year, and he’s had a run of four consecutive podium finishes at the track.
“This is certainly a happy hunting ground for me,” says Mark. “I’ve had a lot of success here, both in F1 and in the junior categories, and Silverstone is one of the best circuits on the calendar from a driver’s perspective. Red Bull have been very quick here for the last few years and this year’s RB9 is a good platform from which to work.
“But I expect us to have some opposition this weekend. Fernando was very strong in Shanghai and Barcelona, and those circuits aren’t dissimilar to Silverstone. The fast corners will also be an acid test for the tyres and it’s going to be important to make sure you’re competitive in the last stint of the race.”
What also makes the British Grand Prix special is the fact that Mark can commute to Silverstone from his home near Aylesbury. That makes this his home-from-home race!
“Staying at home certainly gives the weekend a different pace to any other race,” says Mark. “I can walk the dogs on race morning, before heading to work. That’s pretty special.”
// ends
34 Comments
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Jill and Brian
on June 28, 2013Watching sky F1 you seem to be more relaxed and at ease with yourself Mark, let’s see that leap on the top step on Sunday Mark. We’re going to miss you in F1, but we will be there supporting you in Porsche all the way, a true professional sportsman, good luck Mark, all the best mate.
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Gordon Wadsworth
on June 28, 2013Biggest disappointment will be the lack of TV coverage here in Aus for your new racing career. Best wishes for another win this weekend and for the remainder of your F1 career and hope the move provides the opportunities denied you under the present arrnagements.
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Simon
on June 28, 2013Be strong Mark, remain focused and try to say in the points. With 12 races remaining in the season and a number of drivers yet to encounter their fair share of DNF (e.g. Kimi & Vettal) anything is still possible. You are a respected ambassador of the sports with a large international following who wishes you the best of success.
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gerardo
on June 28, 2013We are going to miss you.
I wish the best for you.
Mexico -
Patty
on June 28, 2013Good luck in Silverstone this weekend, Mark. Congratulations on your move to Porsche though you will be missed in F1. Too bad Red Bull did not appreciate you. You are an excellent driver and would have won more if you had the same support that Vettel has had from them. Thank you for giving your fans all that you had. Good luck throughout the year. Hope you win a lot of races especially Austin, TX. I will be there in November.
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Thom
on June 28, 2013All the best Mark. I hope it is another great Sunday for you!
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peter d
on June 28, 2013well done Mark. looking forward to seeing you on the podium at Le Mans !
Cape Town ,South africa -
Viesturs
on June 28, 2013Good Luck Mark, U are Chempion!!!!!! I hope u win next races in this season…
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Roberta
on June 28, 2013Good luck for Sunday Mark!!!!!
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Susan fm Oz
on June 28, 2013Congrats on the contract with Porsche Mark. I’ve followed F1 for 37 years and you are truly one of the great drivers, a super sportsman, a true champion, a man of integrity, an inspiration to many, a gentleman, a great ambassador for Australia. I will be saving my pennies in the hope I can get overseas later this year to see you drive in F1 one more time. You leaving F1 and Red Bull will leave a gaping hole. From one of your huge Aussie fans – Susan:)
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Niccolò
on June 28, 2013MARK YOU’RE GREAT!!! here’s your best fan from italy and I wish you the best next year with porsche!! and good luck for Le Mans!!!!
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Hubert
on June 28, 2013Congratulations Mark. Sorry you´re moving but sounds like a great move-hope it works out well for you. You were never going to get “a fair crack of the whip” at Red Bull alongside Vettel-nobody will-you are too much of a gentleman and team player.It takes more than race wins,fastest-laps and points to be a true “Champion”-eg.honour,integrity, team-spirit etc. and you´ve proven to be the moral victor and role model in the true sense of the word alongside others such as Stirling Moss. Thanks for all the great racing – and the honesty.The very best of luck, success and enjoyment, both this week-end and in the future.
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jay
on June 28, 2013PEDAL TO THE METAL MARKY BOYO!!!
Just a thought…wouldn’t it be nice to reverse the Malaysian debacle at Silverstone….don’t tunr down your emgine!! hehe! Have LOTS OF FUN as we all will watching one of the all time TRUE Champs of Motorsport!
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mark cooper
on June 28, 2013Mark consider yourself knighted you have proudly flown the flag for all australians thank you thank you thank you!
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Dave
on June 28, 2013Good for you Mark. You will be a great loss to F1 and will be sad to see you go but a good decision. Look forward to seeing a new Le Mans champion!
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Ken Elfin 620 b
on June 28, 2013As an expat kiwi living in WA for along time our heritage in F1 is pretty special. What you have achieved is sensational Mark and I have supported you through your career as another champion from down under.
Thank you for your tenacity passion and commitment against considerable odds, and I cannot ignore Clermont Ferrand in 1972 when an incident changed possibly the ” view” of an individual when dealing out the cards in terms if fair play. Nice if Adrian came with you…….. -
Trudy
on June 28, 2013I’ll miss you in F1. I wish you all the best
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David Mc
on June 29, 2013Well done Mark. You’ve been an inspiration to us motorsport lovers for many years. With your determination, I trust life at Porsche will be even better than with Red Bull.
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Paula
on June 29, 2013F1won’t be the same without you, you really are one of the nicest people. Good luck for your future, we will miss you .
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Kathryn Hepplestone
on June 29, 2013Can’t say it won’t feel as if something is missing from F1 but what a fantastic new challenge. Very best of luck, Mark
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Zsuzsanna
on June 29, 2013I’ll miss you in F1. I wish you all the best
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Kathy
on June 30, 2013I guess it had to come Mark but will sure miss you on the F1 circuit next year.
You may not have won the World Championship but you have been the mainstay of providing Red Bull with the constructors title and they will find it difficult to replace your consistency. Hope to keep up with your career on the internet and get news from my friends in Aston Clinton. Best of luck. -
PAMELA DIANE ROBINSON
on June 30, 2013will so miss you mark wish it was the other one that was going!!Will follow you in your new venture,all the best,love pam
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Graham
on June 30, 2013Good for you Mark. You are a true gentleman of the sport and deserve better than Red Bull has been willing to give. Enjoy the rest of the year in F1 and good luck with the next phase of your career.
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dave
on June 30, 2013Go out there and show them what they are going to miss in formula one.All the best with you new adventure will keep following on here.
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Amanda & Peg
on June 30, 2013Congratulations on making the decision Mark and we hope your future is paved with gold. We could see your frustrations in the last 6-12 months and your current team politics was also a factor in you decision. There is no ‘I’ in team but it was wvident there is a capital ‘V’ in the red bull focus. Good on you for adding the ‘I’ yourself and making the best decision for you. Being two Aussies living in Ireland it was a pleasure to follow you all these years and I hope there will be another Aussie hot on you heals to make an impact on F1. Best of luck Mark, we will miss your straight up attitude and style on the track :)x
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Kbear
on June 30, 2013Stonking drive by Webber at silverstone. 2nd place, not bad for a pensioner!
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Glenn
on June 30, 2013Great race Mark, will be watching you’re every lap for your final F1 year, Thank You!
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Mina
on July 1, 2013I’ll miss seeing you wear that RBR race suit. It’s so sad that one of the nicest guys in F1 is leaving but I wish you all the best for your new endeavor.
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sue
on July 1, 2013thanx for a great race at silverstone today. gocd luck with every other challenge u hav in the future. must just say if u were given same support as vettle u wud hav been the one heading the championship for redbull. xx
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Annie
on July 1, 2013Fab drive today mark will miss you in f1 you always wear your heart on your sleeve,I feel red bull have treated you unfairly ,your our num1 best of Luck for the future.
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Andy Jones
on July 1, 2013Mark, you have been a true ambassador for f1 and yourself and I will be sad to see you leave at the end of the year, but wish you the very best of luck & good fortune in your new venture. Great drive today at silver stone showing your true character & relentless determination to give your best at all time.
Good luck Mark -
Auke Burgsma
on July 1, 2013Well done mate! Thanks for all the years in Formula one, you are a great guy and very talented racer. You will be missed by a lot of fans. I wish you all the best in the future with Porsche 🙂
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Patty
on July 1, 2013So happy to see you on the Podium today, Mark. Very proud of you. Terrific comeback. If you had one more lap or two you could have won. You beat Vettel anyway. Hope you win next week in Germany in Vettel’s home country. That would be sweet. Congratulations. Great racing as usual.
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