Sport : F1

Webber explains decision to stay

12th July 2012, 03:52pm

Bet with SkyBet  Formula 1 2012 Season. Click here to bet.

Mark Webber has revealed it was his head rather than his heart that held sway when it came to deciding whether to remain with Red Bull or jump ship to Ferrari.

On Tuesday, Webber signed a new one-year extension to his deal with Red Bull to see him through to the end of 2013.

The 35-year-old Australian also conceded to holding talks with Ferrari, but instead opted to keep a promise made to Red Bull.

"Although I did have talks with Ferrari, staying with Red Bull was the right thing to do," said Webber.

"I pretty much told Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz and team principal Christian Horner two or three years ago I would finish my career with Red Bull.

"I'm sure everyone understands the lure of racing for Ferrari, but in the end there were just too many pros to staying at Red Bull Racing - it was as simple as that."

Speaking in his BBC Sport column, Webber also felt it would be wrong to switch teams given he is in the middle of a title fight, and in particular given Red Bull's form over the last few years.

Webber, who won the ninth race of his Formula One career on Sunday with victory in the British Grand Prix, added: "The fact I am trying to win the championship was also a consideration.

"It would have been that bit harder to keep the momentum going if I was moving to a rival team. That was a factor, but certainly not the biggest one.

"I've been there since 2007, just two years after the team was formed, and we have built a fantastic team.

"We've won the last two drivers' and constructors' championships and we're right in the fight again this year.

"It's very hard to turn your back on that sort of performance."

Bet with SkyBet  Formula 1 2012 Season. Click here to bet.

F1 Videos

    Jardine's Monaco GP Preview

    Jardine's Monaco GP Preview

    22-May-2013

    Sky Sports' Tony Jardine looks ahead to this weekend's Monaco GP.

    Croft v Kravitz - Monaco GP

    Croft v Kravitz - Monaco GP

    22-May-2013

    David Croft and Ted Kravitz debate who could win the Monaco GP.

    F1 weather - Monaco

    F1 weather - Monaco

    22-May-2013

    A look at the weather for the weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

    GP2 Spain recap

    GP2 Spain recap

    18-May-2013

    The F1 Show look back at the GP2 Spain and chat to Jolyon Palmer about his weekend.

    Sky Bet

      • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

    Facebook Favourites