If nothing else Webber was a true gentleman, and as an Australian I'm proud of his achievements in F1, and the way he conducted himself. From the very start he dominated his teammates, until Vettel came along. Even then, the first couple of years he matched Vettel lap for lap. But encroaching age, and I think the realization that he did not match Vettel's ruthlessness, in the end hastened his will to retire. I trust he'll do marvelously in LMP with Porsche [as long as we don't have anymore low flying racing cars]
Bring on 2014, and another Aussie [to whom I have a personal affiliation, in that his father is a business associate of mine] whom the world will love because he is an all round nice person. Which probably precludes him ever winning a world championship.
True, all sports need a gentleman or two and Weber sure seems to fit the bill. I don't think he lacked will and aggression but I guess there are so many other factors that play into an F1 career, some very circumstantial like the following analysis I read yesterday indicates.
http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/2...d-formula-1-remember-the-retiring-mark-webber
As to Ricciardo, there is a lot to bet on; poor guy will feel the pressure. He belongs to the new generation of "groomed" drivers, unlike the guys who come up the ranks in a disorderly way and have to earn their rides in a different way or bring in a lot of cash to the teams. It should make for an interesting season. I hope Checo goes to FIndia and Hulk stays with Sauber or goes to lotus. I have a gut feel that he's got the talent of a champ.
