Mark Webber and team celebrates his retirement with a podium finish in the FIA World Endurance Championship 2016 Bahrain – Sakhir. [Photographer Credit: Dutch Photo Agency/Red Bull Content Pool]
Australian finishes emotional third for Porsche in WEC 6 Hours of Bahrain.
Mark Webber ended his motor racing career with third place behind the two Audis at the FIA World Endurance Championship finale in Bahrain.
Webber tried valiantly with Porsche team-mates Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley, however they could not battle past pole sitters Lucas Di Grassi, Loic Duval and Oliver Jarvis with Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer back in second by 16 seconds.
The two Toyotas were next ahead of the second Porsche of Romain Dumas, Marc Lieb and Neel Jani, their sixth place enough to secure overall 2016 WEC victory.
Webber was given the honour of driving the final 25-minute stint in Porsche No. 1 so he could see the chequered flag to finish his excellent racing career.
Red Bull Racing star Daniel Ricciardo cheered him on from the sidelines, along with Webber’s father Alan.
The 40-year-old revealed, “I was the second and the last driver in the car today and pretty happy with both stints.
“For the final stint it was pretty emotional putting my helmet on for the last time.
“I enjoyed the last stint and I got the chance to bring the car to the chequered flag for the top three finish, and this was the maximum we could get today.”
Ahead of his final race he had earlier said, “It has been such an incredible three years for me with Porsche, together with Timo and Brendon and the whole team.
“Nothing is forever, I’m stopping at a good time and I’m looking forward to seeing everybody again soon.”
