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Webb Enjoys his Wet Weekend

There was a fresh determination shown by Formula Renault Driver, Oli Webb on his way to his season’s best performance at the Silverstone rounds of the single seater series,

Webb had arrived keen to work on his qualifying performances, which have sometimes not matched the front-running race pace he produces. Along with his mentor, GT racer Michael Bentwood, Webb discussed his options with his Fortec team. Having practiced qualifying style driving in the testing sessions, the Formula BMW graduate was dissatisfied with his pace and the way his 2.0 litre race car was handling.

Following a discussion with the team, Webb elected to alter the rear geometry on his car, a decision which suddenly found him the set-up he wanted. In the cool conditions of the morning session, the Cheshire-based driver was in his element and almost immediately set the fastest lap. In a closely fought session, Webb traded times with the other front runners, and ended up an excellent fourth. Second qualifying was less successful, with all the Fortec drivers falling down the order, after a 16 degree increase in track temperatures and a coating of rubber from the BTCC cars, changed the circuit beyond recognition.

Race one, was where Webb wanted to make his mark, with his qualifying performance allowing him a decent tilt at a podium position. A good start saw Webb making a move on his team mate, but a firm but fair squeeze towards the wall, meant that another driver managed to get the jump on both of them. So despite his bold overtaking manoeuvre, Webb was still in fourth and again attacking for third. Webb was later gifted third when Buzaid was penalised for a start line infringement. Unfortunately, Webb’s run of better luck coincided with a banzai overtaking manoeuvre from Graduate Cup rival Dean Stoneman, who managed to make a move stick. From then on Webb was as quick or quicker than Stoneman, but couldn’t get past his adversary.

Having had a terrible qualifying session and an unsuitable set-up, Webb wasn’t planning podiums in race two, which he started 14th. However, the A-level student is never one to shirk a challenge and set himself a target of finishing in the top eight. The game plan looked ambitious when a poor start, saw Webb drop a place and then had the throttle stick open at the end of the start finish straight. Applying the brakes with the throttle still at max led to a spin, which lost him a further three places.

Many drivers might allow their head to drop at this point and resign themselves to a low finish. But with the throttle now free again, Webb pushed on and regained the three places he had lost in the spin and the one at the start within the first lap. With only a lap lost, Webb showed all of the race craft he has honed this year and was trading places throughout the race at a frenetic pace. Webb began the final lap in a creditable ninth place, but managed to overtake one final opponent and looked odds on for his target of 8^th place. Fate then intervened and Webb was the beneficiary when two of the front runners conspired to inspect one of Silverstone’s gravel traps at close quarters, instantly gifting the youngster two places.

Webb will be back in action for the Formula Renault finale at Brands Hatch on the 20-21 September. After a front row qualifying performance early in the season, the spectator friendly Kent circuit could provide a good backdrop for Webb’s final UK outing of the season.