In his recently released book, ‘Aussie Grit’ , Mark Webber has revealed that hat he was very close to signing a deal with Ferrari in 2013. He further goes on to say that even the contracts had been drawn up after a meeting following the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix.
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But what then kept Webber at Red Bull?
Apparently the fact that Ferrari were only willing to sign a one year deal which could be extended later.
“The meeting was with Stefano Domenicali, the Ferrari team principal, on Flavio’s boat in the famous Monaco harbour,” wrote Webber in his book.
“There was now a very real chance I would be joining the Prancing Horse team. Flavio, Stefano, and Fernando all wanted it to happen; contracts were sent but they were for one year plus an option, instead of the two years we were pushing for.
“I just wasn’t interested in switching to another F1 team for 2013 when in July of that season they might tell me my services wouldn’t be required the following year.
“I remember driving to [Silverstone] on the Friday morning and chatting with Fernando on the phone. We swapped a few more calls and although he asked me to wait for a bit longer, my gut was telling me Ferrari wasn’t right for me.”
He further reveals that as soon as the word of his negotiations with Ferrari reach Red Bull, they began contract talks with Lewis Hamilton. Partnering Sebastian Vettel with Hamilton and Webber partnering Alonso, would have led to a pretty shake up of the scene.
“It would have been a change of scenery to go to Ferrari: it was also nice to feel a little bit wanted.” adds the Aussie.
