Red Bull driver Mark Webber is set to quit Formula One at the end of this year and drive in the LeMans 24 Hour race and sports car series from next year with team Porsche.
Webber has already raced at Le Mans twice but his campaign was overshadowed by a dramatic crash in 1999 that saw his Mercedes-Benz do a backflip at 270km/h, News.com.au reports.
According to a statement from Porsche, Webber has signed 'a multi-year contract' with the German car maker.
Stating that Porsche has etched its name in racing history as a manufacturer and stands out for its outstanding technology and performance at the highest level, Webber stated that he is honoured to join Porsche at its return to the top category in Le Mans and in the sports car World Endurance Championship.
According to Webber, he is looking forward to a new challenge after his time in F1, adding that given the fact that Porsche will probably set itself high goals, he cannot wait to drive in one of the fastest sports cars in the world.
Since he began his Formula One career in 2002, Webber has achieved 36 podium places, nine race victories and has started from pole position 11 times.
Speculation that Webber would quit F1 this year intensified after the infamous Malaysian Grand Prix in March, when he publicly clashed with teammate Sebastian Vettel after the German's controversial win, the report added.
