With Formula One becoming more elusive through the passing of each season, sport car racing has become a haven for young racing drivers seeking a serious career in motor sport.
Last weekend’s Le Mans 24 Hours signalled an Australasian renaissance.
Brendon Hartley, Earl Bamber, Richie Stanaway and Mitch Evans have all made their way into the sports car ranks and are finding they can compete at the pointy end of the field without needing to take a mortgage out for valuable 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 Aussies and Kiwis to come over here.”
“After I started to have junior success over here – as far back as the late 90s – 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.
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