Mark Webber

Interesting facts

Raised in modest circumstances in Queanbeyan, Australia - his father ran a motorcycle dealership and petrol station - he got a used go-kart at twelve or thirteen and was already winning state championships by 1992. His F1 debut in an underdeveloped Minardi that barely fit his tall frame produced a stunning fifth-place finish at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix. During his Williams years he raced on painkillers after breaking ribs in pre-season testing, while the team's wind tunnel data turned out to be miscalibrated; even so, he scored his first F1 podium at Monaco in 2005. His maiden Grand Prix win came at the 2009 German Grand Prix - the first Australian victory since 1981 - after he fought back from a drive-through penalty to take it from pole. The rivalry with Sebastian Vettel reached its peak at the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix, when his teammate ignored the 'Multi 21' team order and passed him for the win; Webber later said he lost respect for Vettel 'as a person' afterward. Mark Webber made his Formula 1 debut in 2002 and raced until 2013, 12 seasons in total as an Australian driver. He scored a total of 1047.5 championship points over his career. His best season was 2010, when he finished 3rd in the championship with 242 points.