Spectacular crash dents Webber's endurance hopes

Mark Webber has been let down by one of his teammates in his bid to defend his World Endurance Championship title.

Webber, who drives for Porsche, was competing in the first of nine rounds in England over the weekend and had charged to an early lead in the 6 Hours of Silverstone before handing over to co-driver Brendon Hartley.

The 26-year-old Kiwi had extended the team's lead in the race, but paid for a reckless decision to attempt an overtake at the high-speed Farm corner.

Hartley clipped a GT-class Porsche, resulting in his car rolling onto its side and almost flipping, before finally crashing back onto four wheels and sliding into a gravel trap.

He was later reprimanded by race stewards who deemed him responsible for the crash.

"I feel very upset for the team," Hartley said.

"The car was incredibly good and Mark did a mega first stint."

"I wanted to get past a GT car on the outside, which is quite normal through corner two, but the driver didn't see me and used all the road.

"I don't want to blame anyone, it was a shocking moment and a true shame."

In endurance events that feature multiple car classes, faster cars are usually liable for the way they overtake slower vehicles.

The crash meant Webber, along with Hartley and their other co-driver Timo Bernhard, ending the first round on zero points - 26 behind the victorious Audi drivers.