12-28-2019, 12:43 AM
SILVERSTONE, England -- Mark Webber stunned Formula One when he said on Thursday hes leaving the series after this season to race Porsche sports cars. Mikkel Boedker Jersey . Webber said at the British Grand Prix hes signed a multi-year contract and will compete in Porsches new LMP1 sports prototype at the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the world endurance championship next year. He has struggled this season, failing to win a grand prix and is fifth in the drivers championship, 63 points behind Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel. The German is on course for a fourth consecutive title. Webber first raised doubts about his future with Red Bull after Vettel ignored team orders and overtook him for victory at the Malaysian GP in March. But he insisted on his website that the controversy had nothing to do with his decision, adding that "Ive had a personal plan. Ive stuck with it. This is the next chapter." Red Bull confirmed Webber was leaving and said it would make a decision on a replacement later in the season. "I am sure Mark thought long and hard before making what has no doubt been a very difficult decision," Red Bull principal Christian Horner said. "His achievements in Formula One are extensive and I am sure he will continue to push hard and build on that record until the end of the season. "We support Marks decision, he has been an excellent addition to the team since joining us in 2007 and we wish him all the best in the next stages of his career." Among the favourites to replace Webber would be Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen, who is a good friend of Vettels. The Finn said he would enjoy racing alongside Vettel but said he "still had no answer about" whether he would remain at Lotus or replace Webber in 2014. Webber said a return to F1 was "highly unlikely" though he acknowledged he did have some opportunities to remain in the series before he settled on Porsche. He said he had no regrets in a career that had its "ups and downs" and would especially miss the camaraderie of fellow drivers and the feeling that comes with driving an F1 car. "I realize F1 is seen as the absolute pinnacle of motorsport and Ive worked with some incredible people, in particular (Red Bulls) Adrian Newey," Webber said on his website. "Ive driven in some of the toughest and most challenging conditions and circuits, and against some incredible drivers which Ill continue to do until the end of the year. Will I miss some of this? Yes, of course, but time doesnt stand still for anyone and its time to move on to my next challenge." Since joining F1 in 2002, Webber has won nine races and had 36 podium places during a career that also includes stints with Williams and Minardi. Webbers best season came in 2010 when he just lost a four-way battle for the title that was eventually won by Vettel. The Australian started strong last season with victories at Monaco and Silverstone but then tailed off and only had two podiums the rest of the way. At 36 and his age increasingly becoming an issue, there was talk that Webber needed a strong start in 2013 to retain his seat and give him any hope of winning a first title. McLarens Jenson Button and Ferraris Fernando Alonso, a close friend and rival, welcomed Webbers move to Porsche and praised his long career in F1. "Its a good time for him, a good opportunity," Alonso said. "Hes moving to a very prestigious car brand and probably the most famous race in the world together with Formula One. I think he will have a lot of fun behind the wheel as he is doing now with a little less problems (outside the track) that we have in Formula One." Porsche hailed Webber as "one of the best and most successful Formula One pilots of our time." "I learned to appreciate Marks qualities when we were both involved in Formula One," said Fritz Enzinger, head of LMP1. "He is one of the best pilots I could imagine for our team. Im absolutely delighted that we have such an experienced and fast regular driver onboard from 2014." He has raced twice before at Le Mans, including in 1999 when he had a horrific crash in which he went airborne, flipped and ended in a grove of trees. "Im very much looking forward to this new challenge after my time in Formula One," Webber said in a statement. "Porsche will undoubtedly set itself very high goals. I can hardly wait to pilot one of the fastest sports cars in the world." Max Domi Jersey . The 24-year-old right winger has one assist in nine games this season with the Sabres. In his career, he has three goals and six assists in 43 NHL games. Brett Hull Jersey .com) - Novak Djokovic captured a mens Open Era-record fifth Australian Open title on Sunday by defeating rival Andy Murray in the final in Melbourne. https://www.cheapcoyotes.com/1238z-robbi...yotes.html . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team.SAN DIEGO -- Two games, two dramatic wins. It may be just what the struggling San Diego Padres need. Will Venable hit a two-run single in the 12th inning to give the Padres a 6-5 win over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night, their second consecutive victory in their final at-bat. San Diego used Yonder Alonsos slow grounder to score Cameron Maybin with the game-winning run Sunday in the ninth inning of a 4-3 win over Arizona. "Coming on the heels of (Sundays) win, its great," Padres manager Bud Black said. "We are seeing subtle signs. These are the kind of games that can lift guys." Venable singled off Tim Collins (0-2) and over the head of right fielder Lorenzo Cain, driving in Chris Denorfia and Alonso. Denorfia led off the inning with a single off Louis Coleman before Collins came on. After a sacrifice, Alonso reached on a bloop double to left to bring up Venable. For the offensively challenged Padres, the two games may be signs that the team is ready to break out of its season-long funk. San Diego is ranked near or at the bottom in the majors in just about every offensive category. "Bottom line, we just have to get a W," Alonso said. "I dont care how we do it. We have seen it all. This game will do a lot of crazy things on you. (Sunday), we get a game-winner on a bunt swing. (Monday), Will hit a mammoth single. This game will do a lot of things to you. You just have to keep your head up." The Padres rallied back with a pair of homers to tie the game twice and force extra innings. Jedd Gyorko, who is hitting.164, hit a solo homer with one out in the ninth inning off Royals closer Greg Holland to tie the game at 4. It was Hollands first blown save in eight chances. Yasmani Grandal hit a three-run shot off Royals rookie Yordano Ventura in the sixth to tie the score 3-all. "We are a team that doesnt give up, even if we are down by three runs," Alonso said. "We just keep chipping awaay, chipping away and the next thing you know were winning the ball game. Clayton Keller Jersey. ." Eric Hosmer homered and drove in three runs for Kansas City, which extended its season-high losing streak to five games despite a season-high 16 hits. Cain, who came off the disabled list before the game, had four hits. The Royals grabbed a brief lead in the 12th inning when Mike Moustakas hit an RBI single to score Salvador Perez off Tim Stauffer (1-0). "Any time you lose, its painful, it hurts, especially when you are struggling a bit," Royals manager Ned Yost said. Hosmer hit his first homer of the season, a solo shot off Nick Vincent, to put Kansas City ahead 4-3 in the seventh. "We had plenty of opportunities to put it away," Hosmer said. "Thats just the way things are going right now. This is definitely one of the tougher losses of the season." Ventura had allowed just two hits in five shutout innings before giving up Grandals homer. The right-hander allowed five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out a career-high 10 in six innings. Ventura extended his scoreless innings streak to 18 scoreless innings before Grandals homer. Ventura collected his first major league hit with a sharp single leading off the fifth. Nori Aoki followed with a single and both runners moved up on a fly out. Hosmer grounded a two-run single up the middle for a 3-0 lead. Padres starter Eric Stults had his second tough outing as he lasted just 4 2-3 innings, allowing three runs and 11 hits. The left-hander tied a season high by allowing five runs over 2 2-3 innings -- his shortest start since April 2009 -- in his last start. NOTES: Maybin left the game during the top of the seventh inning with a stomach ailment. ... Cain (left groin strain) was activated from 15-day DL and INF/OF Jimmy Paredes was optioned to Triple-A Omaha. ... Royals RHP Jeremy Guthrie (2-2, 4.50 ERA) faces Padres LHP Robbie Erlin (1-4, 5.83) on Wednesday night. ' ' '