Webber will race in Brazil this weekend with a special slogan on his helmet - ''Made my Mark'' - for his farewell grand prix, ending a 12-year stint in the fastest competition in the world.

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 the former Canberra Raiders ballboy will leave the sport 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.''

Jones admits he underestimated Webber's ability at first.

''And I'm the first to admit it,'' the former world champion confesses.

''I didn't think he would go as well as what he has done. He's matured as a driver and I think he's as good as anybody out there at the moment.''

Webber has remained calm and collected before his final race, comfortable with his legacy.

''I know I've made the right decision to leave formula one, so I'm feeling relieved that the chequered flag is almost in sight,'' he said.

''I'll probably feel some emotion stepping out of the car for the final time because I still enjoy driving F1 cars.

''But, as I've said before, my motivation for things that come hand-in-hand with F1 isn't the same as when I was 24 or even 34, so the timing is perfect for me.''

''I haven't done too badly to still be here in 2013,'' Webber said.

''Of course I would have loved to have won the championship, but at least I was in the fight for it right up until the final round in 2010 in probably one of the most competitive years in recent history.''

Webber isn't bothered some people will only remember him for his bitter feud with four-time world champion Vettel.

''The people who matter know the true story.

''I'd like to think I'll leave a legacy of a driver who was tough but fair and always gave his best.''

Webber, 37, will start racing sports cars for Porsche, including the famous Le Mans 24-hour endurance event, next year.

He started racing go-karts with his father, Alan, as a family bonding session.

But Webber's talent rocketed him up the ranks and he has 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 Jerrabomberra lounge room, 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.''

Queanbeyan rugby union great David Campese helped launch Webber's career. Campese, a family friend, chipped in £50,000 when he was racing in formula three in Britain.

That season, in 1998, earned him a try-out with Mercedes Benz in their sports car program and Webber went on to make his formula one debut in 2002.

Alan and Diane watched Webber's second last race in Dallas last weekend, but returned to Canberra this week to watch the finish from home.

''I was a rev head, I got him into go-karting just to be with him over the weekend as a dad and son,'' Alan said.

''We're very proud, it's been a wonderful ride for his parents as well. It's the end of an era.

''The crashes are the hardest to watch. There was one time he was airborne for 14 seconds. It was the longest 14 seconds of our lives, it felt like five minutes. But when you see him take off the steering wheel, you know he's OK and that's when you can settle down.''

Webber has had 41 podium finishes in his career and broke a winning drought when he claimed his maiden win at the German Grand Prix in 2009.

He's won twice in Monaco - regarded as the toughest race on the circuit - and twice in Brazil and Britain.

''Being there at his first win in Germany was amazing … to witness and feel the emotion was something special,'' Alan said. ''There have been plenty of great drivers go through and never win.

''At one stage I thought he'd be one of those, but he turned it around.''

Jones first met Webber at a go-kart event when he was a youngster trying to forge a career.

''Sometimes you don't remember people who come up to you,'' Jones said.

''But for some reason I remember Mark. He was about 11 or 12, he was almost being a pest and wanted to know how to make it and how to have a career.

''It's good to see his determination and tenaciousness has paid off.''

Alan and Diane will host a dinner at the Queanbeyan RSL Club on December 3 to celebrate Webber's career. with AAP