Mark Webber has weighed into the divisive V8 Supercars test day/Bathurst 12 Hour date clash in February, saying Australian motorsport is too small to be shackled by such a schism.
Webber, who is preparing for the next round of the World Endurance Championship at Shanghai this weekend in the 919 Porsche hybrid, said he was disappointed with the conflict.
The 38-year-old has been commissioned to commentate on selected V8 Supercars events for Network Ten next year but sees the category’s pre-season test clash as highly confrontational.
The ex-Formula 1 racer expressed concern over the malaise when asked if he would consider driving at the Bathurst 12 Hour in future.
“(I’m) disappointed it clashes with the test (in February),” Webber told radio station SYN 90.7FM’s motorsport program ‘The Podium‘
“Motorsport in Australia is very small and I think it wasn’t very wise to have the top drivers not being able to do Bathurst. That doesn’t really work.
“They can both operate out here and the 12 Hour can be a very strong event in itself and the V8s have got their area.
“That’s a shame, but I think going forward (for me), who knows.
“The 12 Hour is a very attractive event for sure.”
By contrast to his “maybe one day” attitude to racing with Porsche in the 12 Hour, Webber underlined his continued ambivalence towards ever competing in V8 Supercars.
“I don’t think so, I’ve got too much to do in Europe still. That works out for me,” he said of an appearance in the touring car class.
“The cars are, just like tennis and squash, they’re a very, very different type of car to drive and the guys that are doing it are very handy at it.
“I’ve raced at Bathurst already in Formula Ford and it’s brilliant, it’s one of the best tracks in the country, (but) I have no real ambition (to do the Bathurst 1000).
“I’m focussed on Porsche at the moment and V8s I don’t think will happen for me.”
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