Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ to see Red Bull Racing rival Mark Webber walk away from the top flight at the end of the current campaign should the Australian enjoy a successful season at the highest level.
Webber is now in his ninth year on the grand prix grid, but it was only in 2009 that he finally had at his disposal a competitive car with which to fight at the front – and the New South Wales native wasted little time in proving his potential, registering his breakthrough victory at the Nürburgring in Germany and following that up with a second triumph at Interlagos in the penultimate outing in Brazil.
In-between there were moments where Webber threatened to mount a genuine world championship challenge – something he ostensibly has a chance to do again this year, with the Adrian Newey-designed Red Bull RB6 widely regarded as one of the very quickest cars in the field. And at 33, and with the rumours that rallying refugee Kimi Raikkonen is already being lined up to take his place in 2011, Webber could be considering imminent retirement, reckons Hamilton.
“I don’t know how long he plans to stay in Formula 1, but I get the sense that it’s one of the years he wants to finish on top and perhaps call it a day,” says the McLaren man, ahead of this weekend’s race down under. “He has the best chance to end on that high this year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is considering it.”
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What do you think?
Snow Stig commented on this article
Wednesday March 24, 2010 at 11:44 pm
What does that liar Hamilton know anyway! Sounds like B.S. & propaganda to me!
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Rob commented on this article
Wednesday March 24, 2010 at 11:46 pm
I genuiney think Mark Webber can win this years championship!
After that, he can do as he pleases…but i’d love to see him stay on. I think he is a gun and it is great to now see him in a competitive car!
By the way, Red Bull has another Aussie Super Star waiting in the wings and is their current test driver… A real Star of the Future! Ricciardo!
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Fatboi commented on this article
Thursday March 25, 2010 at 12:07 am
Ladies and Gentleman, Firstly, Until Webber announces it himself at the end of the season it is only speculation. Secondly it won’t happen because Mark Webber will not win the Championship this season. To do so would be to beat Vettel and that just is not a possibility. I’m one of the biggest Webber fans out there and on his day he is one of the quickest drivers and greatest qualifyers to step onto the track, however….Vettel has more natural talent and speed and he is fast becoming a young schumi. As for Kimmi, again, when he is not eating ice creams or taking dumps he is Hakkinen fast, inconsistent but fast. What a perfect combination a rapid german and a flying finn for 2011. GET ON BOARD IT WILL HAPPEN.
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Sambawacki commented on this article
Thursday March 25, 2010 at 9:51 am
Maybe he will retire, but we have to consider if Raikonnen will be used to shifting from rally car to F1 car in a shift of a year.
Hopefully he wins at least 2-3 races, then he really can end on a high.
If not, then ah well.
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lesrose52 commented on this article
Thursday March 25, 2010 at 10:10 am
funny, out of both of only Hamilton has spoken about quitting. Maybe wishful thinking, considering the speed of the Red Bulls
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Bruce commented on this article
Thursday March 25, 2010 at 11:01 am
Maybe Hamilton is hoping Webber will quit so he can join Red Bull in 2011.
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F1 Nut commented on this article
Thursday March 25, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Mark’s a good guy. I hope he doesn’t retire. Good luck Mark… destination 2010 World Title!
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Roy F commented on this article
Sunday March 28, 2010 at 9:32 am
Were we watching a race with the same rules?Have the teams secretly put larger fuel tanks in their cars?Whatever the reasons it was 100% better than the farce of two weeks ago.I must admit I did still fall asleep the odd time but can anyone tell me did any of the commentators mention things like PRESERVE FUEL or KEEPING OUT OF THE DIRTY AIR and TYRES GOING OFF apart from Buttons quick change of tyres that is?Still trying to work out at the beginning WHO is likekly to win the lottery,Sorry I meantthe race.
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atlas commented on this article
Sunday March 28, 2010 at 2:08 pm
oooooooh haadbags
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atlas commented on this article
Sunday March 28, 2010 at 2:12 pm
what a race best in a long time commmon button!!!! oh yeah to all you football yawns f1 is back dull my a##
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ioio commented on this article
Tuesday March 30, 2010 at 12:14 pm
I think Kimi will be team mates with Mark next year. Vettel will go to Mercedes….Real question is who moves for him, Schu or Rosberg??
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ioio commented on this article
Tuesday March 30, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Hey Fatboi. I agree with you about vettel just being super quick. I don’t think he was given enough credit for his quali lap on saturday..However if there is a failure for red bull it always seems to be vettel. This could allow webber come trough. Is vettel driving the car so hard that it brakes?? On that quali lap when the car went side ways, I saw sparks when the car hit the curb. Could this have caused the damage that led to his retirement?? Don’t get me wrong this is just an idea and I know that the spark plug failure could not have being down to vettel!!
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