He demonstrated his strength in qualifying in his third race for Jaguar, starting third on the grid at Sepang – a feat he repeated at the Hungaroring later that year. Jaguar Webber spent two seasons with Jaguar Webber had few other opportunities to show what he was capable of but attracted the attention of Jaguar who signed him for 2003. It was an emotional day when Webber made his debut at home in Melbourne, finishing an unlikely fifth after a first-lap crash wiped out most of the field. He got his F1 break the following season with Minardi, which was owned by fellow Australian Paul Stoddart. He ended the year third and was second in 2001 Super Nova, scoring three wins, but was 32 points behind Justin Wilson.

Mercedes withdrew during the race after Peter Dumbreck suffered a similar accident, flipping on the main straight at 200mph.Īfter that he switched back to single-seater racing and won his second F3000 race in Silverstone. He contested the 24-hour race for Mercedes but was fortunate to escape without serious injury after two shocking crashes in practices, both caused by instability in the CLK racing car. On his official website Webber lists six moments to remember and a single ‘forgettable moment’ – Le Mans 1999.

Webber got his first F1 test with Arrows the following year and also tested for European Racing, who he would join in Formula 3000 the following year. He joined Mercedes for 1998 to contest the FIA GT championship and was runner-up with five wins. In 1997 he raced in British Formula Three, finishing the year fourth for Alan Docking Racing. After starting his career in Australia racing Formula Ford and Formula F4000, Mark Webber came over to Britain in 1996 and won the Formula Ford Festival.

Aussie Grit by Mark Webber