Retiring F1 driver Mark Webber will officially join the Porsche stable a day after finishing his final grand prix in Brazil on Sunday.
Webber confirmed in late June that this year will be his last season in F1 after signing a deal to join Porsche’s World Endurance Championship sportscar program next year.
Porsche broke the news that Webber will immediately hook up with the 16-times Le Mans 24 Hour-winning marque following his GP farewell to experienced News Ltd motoring journalist Paul Gover at the Los Angeles Motor Show.
It is understood that Webber will test its new LMP1 car as early as next month after being given an early release from his Red Bull contract.
It was previously thought that contractual obligations may have seen Webber prevented from testing the Porsche until the New Year.
The winner of nine grands prix, Webber is said to have travelled to Porsche’s motorsport headquarters, Weissach, for a seat-fitting last week before heading to Texas for the US Grand Prix.
Webber along with Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Neel Jani have been confirmed for the two-pronged LMP1 attack on Le Mans and the WEC next year with its final two drivers to be known soon.
Those being considered include Kiwi ace Brendon Hartley and German Marc Lieb who was signed as a co-driver for the Tekno Autosports V8 Supercar team for the endurance races this year.
“We are very lucky that Mark will join us one day after the Formula One race in Sao Paulo,” the chief executive of Porsche, Matthias Muller, told News Ltd.
“I met him last week when he had the seat fitting. We are very happy to have him,” Muller said.
