Webber: I want to leave on a high

Former Formula 1 driver Mark Webber will retire from professional racing at the end of the world endurance season in Bahrain in November, Porsche announced.

"The six-hour race...on November 19 will be the last time the reigning World Champion from Australia will compete as a works driver," the manufacturer said in a statement.

Webber, 40, will become a Porsche 'special representative' at global events and work as a consultant on motorsport programmes.

The Australian won the World Endurance title with Porsche in 2015 with Germany's Timo Bernhard and New Zealander Brendon Hartley.

"I will miss the sheer speed, downforce and competition, but I want to leave on a high and I’m very much looking forward to my new tasks," said the winner of nine Formula 1 grands prix with Red Bull.

He competed in 215 Formula One races for Minardi, Jaguar, Williams and Red Bull before leaving in 2013.

"It was a big change from Formula One to LMP1 (Le Mans Prototype) and an entirely new experience. But it came at the right time for me," said Webber.

"It will be strange getting into the race car for the very last time in Bahrain but for now I will thoroughly enjoy every moment of the remaining races," added the Australian known for his True Grit.

Webber competed in Formula 1 from 2002 to 2013 driving for Minardi, Jaguar, Williams and Red Bull before departing for WEC.

He made 215 starts, scoring 42 podiums, 13 pole positions and nine grand prix victoriers. He finished third in the world championship 2011 and 2013

He made his F1 race debut at the 2002 Australian Grand Prix, winning his first Grand Prix in 2009 in Germany and his last victory was at the 2012 British Grand Prix, with the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix his final F1 race.