1ST WIN – NURBURGRING 2009 #MadeMyMark

on November 23, 2013 Off the track news with 57 comments
Having Dad there for my first win made it even more special.

Having Dad there for my first win made it even more special.

It was a huge relief to get that first win in the bag; I had a drive through penalty early in the race after contact with Rubens Barrichello off the line which we both survived easily. The most important thing for me was that the win wasn’t a fluke. My middle stint was super competitive and my only concern was that it might rain towards the end of the race as it was looking likely. To win at the highest level possible and to have people like dad and Ann there to share it with was very special as were all of the congrats emails and text messages that came flooding in. The previous week I had been to Dublin with Ann, mum and dad and my aunt and uncle who were on their first trip to Europe. We sampled quite a bit of Guinness as you do when you’re in Dublin and I remember some of the locals telling me that I would win the next race! Maybe it was the Guinness or the luck of the Irish!

Ends//

57 Comments

  • Brett
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    That’s it, I’m going to find me some Guinness right now to see if I become a F1 Grand Prix winner!

  • Sarah-Jane Bonner
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    Really enjoying these snippets of memory. Such a sad week for all fans. I’ll be sitting with a box of tissues tomorrow. :'(

  • Michael Craig
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    Was awesome! A memory that will not fade.
    Thanks Mark.

  • anthony kelly
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    Dear Mark
    You will always be a champion in my eyes! You are always an honest gentleman in a sport where these virtues are very thin on the ground. Hope you have a great final race, with the result you deserve- beat the German! i wish you all the luck in your return to sportscar next year- you have made a good decision, which is not always easy. Thanks for flying the aussie flag so well for so long and passing the baton on to Daniel. good luck and again THANK YOU! regards Anthony

  • Mark Tough
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    I will never forget your reaction on the radio after that win. Sounded like many years of emotion released in one go. All the best for the future.

  • Dave Yates
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    Hi Mark, just wanted to let you know I saw an interview with yourself in Oz a few weeks back and you where taking about your move to sports cars next year. When you where speaking about the series, the team and the general move that you were making your facial expression had a youthful eagerness about it like a teenage boy getting his first glimpse of a pair of boobies. If your expression was anything to go by you’ve made the right decision to move away from F1. Good to see an Aussie take up the fight in F1 (and still keep his dignity) and do us proud. Good luck in your final F1 this weekend and can’t wait to see what you can do in the years to come.

  • Phil Harris
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    Your a proper legend in Motorsport and a fantastic bloke. Good luck in LMP hope you turn into a Le Mans legend too. Cheers off to find some Guinness

  • Rocky
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    We will miss you mate… See you @ LeMans 😉

  • Jos van der Blij
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    I’ve always been a fan of you Mark. As a driver and as a person. Thanks for all the great races. Wish you a lot of luck tomorrow, and all the best in the future. Greetings from the Netherlands.

  • Andy
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    Mate

    I’ve got no reason to support you. You’re not English, you don’t drive for my favourite team. But I do.

    And it’s because frankly drivers like you are becoming less and less prevalent in F1. Willing to say what you think regardless of the PR angle.

    You’ve had some fantastic racing, wins, passes and should rightly be proud of what you’ve done. I’m a big porsche fan, and can’t wait to see you representing the marque next year.

    And to your credit, I like most F1 fans think you’re probably the only driver I’d actually enjoy going for a beer with.

    Best of luck, and if you ever need a second opinion about just how good your Gt3 RS is, you just let me know 😉

  • Annie Oz
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    End of a fantastic era, Mark. Hope you get everything you from from Interlagos.

    And here’s to next year, new challenges.

    Keep giving us these memories.

  • Elk
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    Hi Mark, Thanks for the mega wins, especially the Monaco GP twice !! Thanks for the professional attitude at all times even when you could have thrown your toys many times..It was great to see you at Goodwood 07 cycling around with Jenson..A man who created his opportunities by moving to europe and worked hard and sacrificed to get to the top..A true F1 driver story we all love to hear..a mentor and example to others on how to get ahead in life and rise to the top..How you conducted yourself in F1 is worthy of many F1 titles alone..watch and learn kids..Missed already..Thanks Mark !

  • BJ2701
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    Awesome memories Mark. Like many Australians my mates and I stood in our lounge rooms tears in our eyes and sung the national anthem with you! The only way to describe the feeling was the way you did it yourself!
    “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes yesssss”
    Thank you Mark.

  • Jane
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    Good Luck in your final F1 race. I’ve loved watching you over the years. All the best for your new adventures!

  • Steve
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    Sunday nights won’t be the same. Your awesome mark!

  • Nick O'Callaghan
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    Mark, just know that no matter where you finish in Brazil, You’ll always be on the top of the F1 podium in our eyes.

  • Iduna
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    Hi Mark, I loved watching you at the F1. Thank you for that! Have a good Q1-3 today and make your last race tomorrow one to remember :). Wish you all the fun and luck with Porche. I’m looking forward to what you will accomplish in your new team!!

  • Aaron
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    Mr Webber,
    Your career in Formula One has been an amazing platform to promote all facets of Motorsport. You have an enormous following of people who don’t even watch Formula One but can relate to the passion and true Aussie grit that you have shown throughout your time. Best moment for me was seeing you win Nurbergring. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire race and you deserved more than anyone to be victor on that day. Thanks for being a true Aussie legend and I wish you all the best in your future pursuits.

  • maxine
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    :'( goin to miss you, I wish you a great race. Xxx

  • Steve Flanagan
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    Thank you Mark. I have really enjoyed watching you race in F1 (especially when you beat the German) and look forward to every time I hear of your exploits in the news. Not bad for a number 2 driver indeed. Good Luck.

  • Paul
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    A true champion and a true gentleman. Reading posts on this site reminded of the night I sat at home watching your first win and the subsequent, well-deserved celebration. Enjoy your last race.

  • John Pocklington
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    Thank you for the wonderful years I have watched your racing & look forward to your future with Porsche.

    Kindest – John
    Noosa

  • charlene
    on November 23, 2013 Reply

    God bless and good luck mark to your final race tomorrow.

  • Tim McBeath
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    Well done Mark.
    Your career in F1 has been great, you’ve made Australia proud and always been honest with yourself.

    I saw you come in 5th at your first race (was hand timing your gap to Salo). Time flys doesn’t it?!

    I look forward to you getting a bit healthier looking & eating normal food when you don’t have to get down to a minimum weight. You always look so gaunt!

  • Gordon Walker
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    Hi mark,

    I”ve been following your career sine the days w/ jaguar . I’m a transplanted Aussie living in Dallas for 30 years . Watched your beautiful drive last weekend in Austin Texas . Thanks for the doughnuts On turn 11 right where I was sitting.
    Go get em in the new Porche Mate . Best of luck in France . La Mans .

    Sincerely , Gordon Walker , SanAntonio Texas

  • Natalia
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    my english is bad so I write you in spanish (you can ask Fernando Alonso to translate it XD)
    Me da mucha pena y rabia que dejes la Formula 1. Me pareces muy buen piloto y una buena persona. Las carreras no seran lo mismo sin ti, te voy a echar muchisimo de menos. Ojala algun dia regreses a la Formula 1, me alegraria tanto. Deseo que ganes esta ultima carrera de la temporada ya que te lo mereces y para darles en el morro a Vettel y a tu “querido” equipo 😉

    un saludo de una fan de España 🙂
    PD: dale un saludo de mi parte a Alonso XD

  • Fernanda
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    I’m gonna miss you so bad, mate.

  • Gaye Hawnt
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    All the very best for your next venture Mark…It’s sad to see you leave F1 we have enjoyed your driving.xx

  • Emmanuel Goussot
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    Hello Mark

    Where can I buy a Made my Mark T-shirt?

    Are they on sales?

    Emmanuel

    *** Site Manager ***
    Yes, the commemorative #MademyMark T-shirts are for sale on-line at http://www.markwebber.com

  • Emma Joyce
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    Hello Mark,
    The races will not be the same without you, I will miss you.
    You are an amazing driver and a true sportsman, always honest, sporting and genuine. I have watched you win at Silverstone, cheering you on from the grandstand. I have enjoyed supporting you from England and hope to be able to get to one of your porsche races next year.
    I wish you all the best for your last race in Brazil tomorrow, fingers crossed for a win.
    Thank you for all of your amazing F1 years and the pleasure they have given.
    Lots of love from Emma Joyce xx

  • Christine
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    I will miss you in F1, you have been such a great sportsman, i’d love you to win the last race of the season. Good luck for tomorrow.xx

  • Jill and Brian
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    All the best Mark a true gent and champion. Looking forward to following you at Porsche some fantastic times ahead, you certainly deserve them. Good luck.

  • Nat
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    Don’t think you’ll ever know how much watching you race meant to us. We felt every bit of your frustration due to your (more than the average bloke’s) bad fortune and cried the tears of relief and joy with you after that first amazing win. But personally, you gave me something to look forward to and and enjoy through some really horrible years and for that I was always be grateful so thank you Mark Webber. Have a wonderful last race! xo

  • jane
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    Good luck tomorrow in your last race at F1 and all the best for your future at Porsche. You will be missed though,loved the interviews after the races, bought a smile to my face many a time with your comments- always spoke the truth.

  • David Wilson
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    Hi Mark, good luck for your final grand prix and for life post F1. I have really enjoyed following your career, you are an inspiration and a great Australian. Regards.

  • Michelle Clark
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    Mark, you will be missed in F1. All the best for the future & have a great final race.

  • joe
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    Good luck mate, been following you a long time, I even had your yellow pages f-ford poster from AA covering a punched hole in my bedroom as a teen, lost that poster afew years ago in the floods, bloody spewing! Gonna miss you in f1! Good luck mate

  • Peter
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    Thanks for the last 12 years, I have enjoyed sharing the journey with you. Good luck for the last race and onward & upward for next year. Looking forward to the next chapter.

  • Geoff Raftery
    on November 24, 2013 Reply

    Congrats on a wonderful F1 career Mark, you will certainly be missed. So many late nights, I felt I was there with you! Legend!

  • Helen Lawrence
    on November 25, 2013 Reply

    Good Luck Mark ! F1 wont be the same without you. Can’t imagine cheering for anyone else !! A gentleman of honesty and integrity. Don’t ever change.You have made my life much brighter. Thankyou

  • Terry Pearce
    on November 25, 2013 Reply

    Good luck with Porsche,hopefully you will win Le Mans and take the crown from Audi.
    Loved watching your career flourish through the years.
    Drive safe Dude…..

  • Paul
    on November 25, 2013 Reply

    Thanks for everything you’ve done in F1, Mark. Remember the highs. Enjoy the future and all you do.

  • Niall O'brien
    on November 25, 2013 Reply

    Congratulations on a wonderful career in Formula 1 Mark.

    Those wins in Monaco must’ve been pretty epic. Hope to be there and see you race in person at Le Mans too

    Niall O’Brien

  • Marianne
    on November 25, 2013 Reply

    You did great today Mark really enjoyed it! Thank you for all these years in F1 you will be missed. Have a great time at Porsche and I hope to see you drive at Le Mans. Good luck!

  • Paul Hesselman
    on November 25, 2013 Reply

    Thank you so much Mark for all these years I had the pleasure to follow you in F1. I’ll be at Le Mans next year to cheer you on. Made your mark and still going strong!

  • Zena
    on November 25, 2013 Reply

    I have enjoyed supporting these past few years. Sad to see you leave f1 but will now follow your next venture. Good health & safe driving in the future.

  • André
    on November 25, 2013 Reply

    One of the Best and a great Charakter left the formula one, which will never be the same. I am very sad about IT but i am happy with and can’t wait for Wec. All the Best wishes from Germany, i hope i can enjoy you live in LeMans because you are the reason to be a first time there.

  • Jason Matthews
    on November 25, 2013 Reply

    Mark you have had an incredible career in F1…They loose a true gentalman today. I left my email address, a quick hello would be amazing!!! Go enjoy life and cant wait to follow you at Porsche!!!!

  • David Calabro
    on November 25, 2013 Reply

    Hi Mark just wanted to say I’m going to miss watching you , F1 has taken a hard hit now that your gone . I hope you enjoy your next mission in life all the best and thanks for many years of you

  • Maree
    on November 25, 2013 Reply

    Mark as I read Steve Waugh book “the meaning of luck” you certainly have this moto work hard and you make your own luck awesome. We wish you good health and happiness

  • Paul Bennett
    on November 25, 2013 Reply

    Mark, I’ve watched everyone of your F1races over your career. An absolute pleasure to see a proud Aussie represent his country with true passion. Next stop, the point off Noosa national park ! Go for it!

  • Zguvnah
    on November 25, 2013 Reply

    Hey Mark, it has been awesome watching you and cheering you on – thank you and best wishes for the your future at porsche. Maybe I’ll see you out in the surf.

  • Richard Hamwi
    on November 25, 2013 Reply

    Mark,
    Thank you for all you’ve contributed to F1. We need more down to earth drivers like you. I have enjoyed watching you race over the years. If there was no Aussie racing in F1 I probably wouldn’t care for the sport.

  • Kim
    on November 26, 2013 Reply

    Best Wishes for the future Mark, Your Honour, Integrity and ‘Grit’ will continue to make us Aussies proud. Thank you for representing this amazing country

  • Ignacio García
    on November 26, 2013 Reply

    Mis mejores deseos para un luchador nato y con un carisma particular de los que hacen falta en la F1. Tu actitud ejemplo para el paddock. Tomate tu tiempo y espero seguir sabiendo de tí. Desde España gracias por tu competitividad y saber hecer.

  • Scott Blee
    on November 26, 2013 Reply

    Mark, you’ve been a great asset to F1 over the last decade, and its been a pleasure to follow your remarkable career so far. Good luck with the next exciting phase nad i’ll probably change my motorsports viewing to follow along!

  • Diana
    on November 27, 2013 Reply

    OMG i cried a lot of last sunday…i wish you all the best in your life and…GO WEBBER, GO CHAMPION!! Greetings and kisses from Mexico City

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