Mark Webber
- Mark Webber training at home
Biography
Mark Webber has an international profile few other Australian sports stars can boast. Webber became the first Australian to race in Formula One since David Brabham in 1994, and since then has remained one of the most consistent drivers with the F1 championship with a recent 4th place finish in the 2009 Driver’s Championship. Competing in one of the world’s most popular sports, Webber has become a popular fixture on the international F1 circuit.
Born in Queanbeyan, not far from the nation’s capital, Webber rose through the local driving circuits before moving to Europe in 1995 to pursue his racing dream. This dream blossomed as he moved up the ranks to secure a coveted F1 driving position and then push for victories and Championship glory.
In 2003, Mark established the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania challenge trek to raise funds for the Leukemia Foundation, along with the Mark Webber Challenge Foundation. On the track, Mark displays tenacity and determination to compete in one of the world’s most demanding sports. These traits are exhibited beyond F1, with post-career plans to run his own motorcycle racing team and cycle the treacherous roads of Nepal.
Career Highlights
2002 Becomes the first Australian to race in Formula 1 since David Brabham in 1994, finishing 5th on home soil in his debut race at the Melbourne GP.
2003 Moves to Jaguar and finishes the season on 17 points, placing him 10th in the Championship.
2005 Moves to the BMW Williams team and earns his first podium finish – a 3rd place at the Monaco GP.
2007 Moves to Red Bull Racing and claims second podium finish with a 3rd at the European GP.
2009 Becomes the first Australian to win a Formula 1 GP since Alan Jones in 1981 with a win in Germany.
2010 Wins four GPs, including the prestigious Monaco GP, and finished the year 3rd overall in the Driver’s Championship.
Things you probably don’t know about Mark Webber
He’s a keen kayaker, a regular winner of F1 tennis pro-ams and enjoys nothing more than cycling with his friends, including seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.
He is not your typical F1 driver – he lives a short drive from the factory, rather than a short drive from the alps; owns a donkey and dogs rather than a yacht and revels in giving straight answers to even the most crooked questions.
Mark Webber online
http://twitter.com/aussiegrit (@aussiegrit)
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Latest TV Commercial
First aired on Australian television in March 2011.
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