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Two Wins and Two Fastest Laps: Webb Rocks Magny Cours
Two Wins and Two Fastest Laps: Webb Rocks Magny Cours
Manchester-based racing driver, Oliver Webb (19), took two wins, two fastest and a second place to take the Championship lead of the Cooper Tires British F3 International Series at Magny Cours this weekend (22nd & 23rd May).Webb had gone to Magny Cours second in the Championship, and was seeking his maiden win in British F3 after scoring four second places in the first six races. Webb started at a disadvantage to his major Championship rival, French driver Jean-Eric Vergne, who has raced almost continuously at Magny Cours during his career. By contrast, Webb’s first sight of the circuit was during the free practice of the race weekend on the Friday.Unperturbed by his lack of circuit knowledge, Webb attacked qualifying with his customary determination and qualified for both races second. Webb knew a good start would be critical at a circuit his key rival knows so well and has been practicing hard. His first start saw Webb’s hard work pay off, with a good start and Vergne going backwards through the pack. Webb grabbed the lead and stayed there from start to finish, his superb physical fitness meaning he could shrug off the 30 degree heat in the 45 minute race. By the end Webb was leading by almost six seconds, with Vergne back in fourth nine seconds behind.The grid for race two on the Sunday was decided by a reverse grid lottery and Webb picked out seventh, giving him a mountain to climb from the start. Webb’s start was good, but the race was quickly red flagged on lap three, after James Calado had flipped over into a gravel trap. Fortunately, Calado was unharmed and Webb lined up fifth for the restart. A great start saw the MSA Elite driver take third place, a position he maintained until the chequered flag. Gabriel Dias who crossed the line in first place was adjudged to have jumped the start, giving Webb his fifth second place of the season, behind a hard charging Vergne.The final race of the weekend saw Webb start from second and the BRDC Superstar was confident of a good start, with the circuit now covered in rubber from the Superleague Formula cars. Webb’s confidence was well placed and he got his best start of the season, catapulting himself into first place, where he stayed until the end of the race. Vergne kept on Webb’s tail, but despite his constant presence, the youngster kept his cool inside his Mercedes HWA-engined Dallara car to take his second win of the season.After four second places in six races, Webb was absolutely ecstatic to take a double victory, commenting: “To get a win in my first season in F3, was always the aim, but to get two at a circuit I have never seen is absolutely brilliant. It could hardly have gone any better, I am now leading the championship, I got two fastest laps, a second place and all at my closest rival’s home circuit. It is great to be going straight to Hockenheim off the back of this double victory, exactly what I need. He went on to add: “Fortec have done a great job this weekend, I travelled down with them in the van because I wanted to avoid any ash cloud issues and to travel with the guys. I can’t thank my mechanics enough for the great job they have done in preparing the car and help me in getting the championship lead. I also want to thank HWA for the superb Mercedes engine they created for Formula 3, it really is an excellent power unit. ”Webb is back in action on the 29th May at the German circuit of Hockenheim, where he will hope to build on his double victory at Magny Cours. More information can be found at www.oliwebbracing.comNews
