Mark Webber has earned the right to stand next to Australia's motor sport greats and deserves a ''fairytale finish'' to his formula one career, former world champion Alan Jones says.
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Webber will race in Brazil this weekend with a special slogan on his helmet - ''Made my Mark'' - for his farewell grand prix, ending an 11-year stint.
A win in Brazil would be the 10th of his career and lift him closer to Australia's formula one legends - Sir Jack Brabham (14 wins) and Jones (12 wins).
The biggest challenge will be overcoming Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel.
But with Webber having won the Brazil race twice already, Jones hopes he leaves formula one on a high. ''He's won grands prix, he's been on pole position and at the top of formula one … he's done Australia proud and formula one proud,'' Jones said.
''Mark's determination and single-mindedness has paid off. It would be great if he could get that fairytale finish.
''But at the end of the day, it's just the cream on the cake. He's had a great career regardless of what happens this week.''
Webber, 37, will race sports cars for Porsche next year, including the Le Mans 24-hour event.
He started racing go-karts with his father, Alan, as a family bonding session.
But his talent rocketed him up the ranks and he's won nine grands prix from 214 races.
Alan and Diane Webber have spent more than a decade tracking their son around the world and watching him race. In their lounge room at Jerrabomberra, just outside the Australian Capital Territory, they have experienced every emotion - watching wins, heartbreaking losses and serious crashes.
''It's all been a big dream, a wonderful ride,'' Alan Webber said. ''I know Mark could have stayed in formula one - Red Bull tried to talk him out of it - but he goes out at the right time and on his terms at the very, very top.
''Mark was always prepared to work hard. We'll miss the smell of the paddock, and I know the formula one paddock will miss Mark.''
Rugby union great David Campese, a family friend, helped launch Webber's career by kicking in some cash when he was racing in lower ranks. That season, in 1998, earned him a try-out with Mercedes-Benz in its sportscar program and Webber went on to make his formula one debut in 2002.
Alan and Diane watched Webber's second-last race in Texas last weekend, but returned to Australia this week to watch the finish from home. ''We're very proud, it's been a wonderful ride for his parents as well. It's the end of an era,'' Alan said.
