Red Bull's Mark Webber is one of the biggest names in Formula One. The Australian has vast experience on the grid but the origins of his motorsport career lie in go-karts.
In focus —
Red Bull's Mark Webber is one of the biggest names in Formula One. The Australian has vast experience on the grid but the origins of his motorsport career lie in go-karts.
Getty Images
Webber's first love was for motorbikes, and he used to race them as a youngster, before turning to go-karts when he was a teenager.
On your bike —
Webber's first love was for motorbikes, and he used to race them as a youngster, before turning to go-karts when he was a teenager.
Getty Images
Webber switched to karting as a 14-year-old and the move paid instant dividends as he won his state championship in New South Wales. The Australian describes the medium as "very raw."
It's go time —
Webber switched to karting as a 14-year-old and the move paid instant dividends as he won his state championship in New South Wales. The Australian describes the medium as "very raw."
Getty Images
Webber started off in Formula One as a test driver for the former Bennetton team in 2001 and got his big break in the form of a race seat with Minardi the following season.
Big break —
Webber started off in Formula One as a test driver for the former Bennetton team in 2001 and got his big break in the form of a race seat with Minardi the following season.
Getty Images
Webber still looks fondly upon his time as a go-kart driver and recently took to the seat again as part of the Red Bull Kart Fight event in Japan.
Straight from the kart —
Webber still looks fondly upon his time as a go-kart driver and recently took to the seat again as part of the Red Bull Kart Fight event in Japan.
CNN
Legendary Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna was a huge fan of go-karting, right up until his tragic death in a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994. The three-time F1 champion still raced karts right up until his death, according to Webber.
Senna's seal of approval —
Legendary Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna was a huge fan of go-karting, right up until his tragic death in a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994. The three-time F1 champion still raced karts right up until his death, according to Webber.
Getty Images
Webber still thinks go-karting is the best way for young drivers to learn about motorsport and see if they have what it takes to progress. Webber is pictured with a group of karting kids in Melbourne back in 2006.
Back to my roots —
Webber still thinks go-karting is the best way for young drivers to learn about motorsport and see if they have what it takes to progress. Webber is pictured with a group of karting kids in Melbourne back in 2006.
Getty Images
Webber says: "Karting is the best way for you to get a feel of how to race each other, dealing with the competition, dealing with winning, dealing with losing and you soak it up so much at a young age and learn very fast."
Home is where the kart is —
Webber says: "Karting is the best way for you to get a feel of how to race each other, dealing with the competition, dealing with winning, dealing with losing and you soak it up so much at a young age and learn very fast."
CNN