up frequently in WEC circles, but in the dog-eat-dog of motor sport, endurance racing is the exception to the rule – within your own team at least.
“Mate, on our car we are trying to help each other on every detail” explains Mark. “At 25 years of age that’s probably not what you’re after, but at 38-39 that’s really rewarding. I’m absolutely loving it”.
So what has Porsche’s most recent Le Mans winner Nico Hulkenberg made of the WEC way of thinking since making his way over the border from Formula One?
“I’m happy because he’s doing all the interviews!” laughs Mark. “He (Nico) was surprised during the first test because I was trying to help him with a few things. I think he might have thought I was trying to stitch him up! It’s a different environment altogether, plus Nico’s very young and in a window of his life where there may be a career opening.
Who knows what’s happening in Formula One? It’s obviously not that easy for him at the moment in terms of options for drives; he thoroughly deserves the chance in a top seat but there aren’t that many around. He’ll tell you, but I think he’s really enjoying the challenge of the new series; how much you have to push and deliver yourself”.
There has been a renaissance of drivers from Australia and New Zealand of late; Brendon Hartley, Earl Bamber, Richie Stanaway and Mitch Evans all making their way into the sports car ranks and finding they can compete at the pointy end of the field without needing to take a mortgage out for seat time.
As the beneficiary of a financial leg-up from Australian ruby legend David Campese when his career was on the ropes, Webber has seized the baton when it comes to supporting young drivers from Australasia.
“We know that success on four wheels in the top echelon is really hard to achieve” says Webber. “There was a 20 year break between victories in Formula One – 21 years between myself and Alan Jones. It’s very hard for Aussie’s and Kiwis to come over here.
After I started to have junior success over here – as far back as the late 90’s – drivers had to see that it was possible to come over and compete and have a chance. They actually had nothing to lose, because you could always go back and race in Australia or New Zealand.
Obviously I’ve done a little bit. I sponsored Will (Power), who got the Penske (IndyCar) drive in the U.S., Richie has won Monaco in GP2 and young Mitch (Evans), clearly deserves a chance, but it’s been notorious to try and get the funds to compete. I mean no driver from Australia and New Zealand arrives in Europe completely minted and ready to go, it just doesn’t happen from our part of the world”.
Webber admits that finance might be one thing, but backing without a strong mental aptitude is effectively pouring money down the drain – a fact he is keen to remind any driver aspiring for a career longer than the size of their ego.
“Helping them keep their feet on the ground (is important) as well. When youngsters think they’ve made it, that’s when the (real) work starts. So it’s all about keeping them grounded at teaching them to focus when things start to happen for them. It’s a long, long career in motor sport and you never know who is watching. You’ve got to keep working hard”.
After coming within two hours of victory at Le Mans last year, you could forgive Webber for descending into a green mist after finishing second to Porsche’s young guns on just their first attempt. Yet, it’s his genuine benevolent spirit and team work ethic that shines through when posed the awkward question.
“I’m not losing too much sleep over victories. They’ll come if you keep working hard. I’m not a young guy who’s desperate. The trophy cabinet’s not too bad already. I obviously want to build on it in the future, but with composure it’ll come.”
A bit of maturity, a love for sporting endeavour and nine grand prix wins will do that for you.