Webber to leave F1 at the end of season

Red Bull driver Mark Webber said on Thursday that he will be leaving Formula One at the end of the season and join Porsche.

Webber, who has signed a contract that extends over several years, will compete for Porsche in the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the sports car World Endurance Championship.

“I’m very much looking forward to this new challenge after my time in Formula 1. Porsche will undoubtedly set itself very high goals. I can hardly wait to pilot one of the fastest sports cars in the world,” he said.

Webber’s departure frees the second place in the Red Bull team alongside Sebastian Vettel, with Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen as one of the favourites to take over from the Australian.