Mark Webber reveals the reason why the deal with Ferrari was canceled at the time

Mark Webber has explained why he didn't join Ferrari after long contract talks in 2013. Driving alongside Sebastian Vettel in Red Bull's most successful period, Webber finished the world championship in 3rd across 2010, 2011 and 2013.

He has revealed to Channel 4 that he had an opportunity to drive for then rivals Ferrari. The Australian retired from the sport after the 2013 season and took up a seat in the World Endurance Championship.

"No, no, actually I had a meeting with Stefano [Domenicali] in Monte Carlo and we came pretty close to agreeing to terms," Webber told Channel 4.

Domenicali was, at the time, the team principal at Ferrari who managed to get Fernando Alonso into 2nd place during 2010, 2011 and 2013.

"I was very much actually looking forward to working with Stefano but I think it was actually the duration of the contract which was a bit of an issue for me.

"And also, at the time, Luca di Montezemolo, wanted me to go and see him in Italy and I had Flavio in my corner, so there was a little bit of arm wrestling going on. But, in the end, I would have definitely signed very quickly about a two-year fixed contract with Ferrari but it was options one-and-one. In the end, I stayed at Red Bull."