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From 2002 to 2013, Mark Webber was one of the most respected drivers on the Formula One grid. The now 44-year-old enjoyed a constructors’ and race-winning career in the top tier of open-wheel racing, although he was never able to get his hands on the famous Drivers’ World Championship. While, of course, Webber won’t be the last talented racer to miss out on the sport’s pinnacle, his talent undoubtedly meant that he had the potential to clinch the famous trophy. So, let’s take a look back on why the Australian fell short of the ultimate prize.

Coming Close in 2010

Prior to his move to Red Bull in 2007, Webber competed for Minardi, Jaguar, and Williams, where he was first able to show his ability in the midfield. Upon joining Christian Horner’s Red Bull, the Queanbeyan-born racer had to wait until the 2009 German Grand Prix before securing his first race win. However, by the end of the year, Webber finished fourth in the standings, 25.5 points behind the eventual winner, Jenson Button.

It would be in 2010 where Webber would have his best chance of following in the footsteps of those before him who had won the championship. After the Korean Grand Prix, the Australian had dropped behind Fernando Alonso in the standings, but could still clinch the crown with victory at each of the final two races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

However, things didn’t go to plan in the season-ending events for Webber. Although a second-place finish at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace in Sao Paulo didn’t rule Webber out of contention for the Drivers’ World Championship, a botched tire strategy at Yas Marina allowed Vettel to take the crown at the final race.

A Deteriorating Relationship with Vettel Didn’t Help His Chances

Unfortunately for Webber, the 2010 championship sparked a four-year run of consecutive titles for his German teammate. Aside from Vettel’s dominance, the relationship between both he and the current Ferrari driver began to deteriorate towards the latter stages of the Australian’s time with the Red Bull-owned team.

In 2013, tensions between the teammates would reach an infamous climax at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Multi-21 as the incident became known as was intended to keep Vettel behind Webber to preserve both car’s engines, but the German took it upon himself to disobey the order, overtake his teammate, and claim the race win. The incident would later see Webber label his former team with having an agenda to keep their championship-winning driver happy.

The following year, the Australian was replaced by Daniel Ricciardo, who finished ahead of Vettel in his first season with Red Bull. Since 2013, Horner’s team have failed to get any of their drivers to a championship. Fundamentally, this has been because of the dominance of Mercedes Max Verstappen, however, looks to be the manufacturer’s best hope, and he’s currently 4/1 to win the Eifel Grand Prix with F1 betting, as of October 1st.

So Close Yet So Far

By his own admission, Webber believes that he had the pace to add his name to the list of F1 world champions. However, for one reason or another, it just didn’t happen for the Australian. That said, the 44-year-old can look back on his open-wheel career with immense pride, albeit despite his title-winning regret.