News

Webb Victorious After Prestigious BRDC “Rising Star” Award

Manchester-based racing driver Oliver Webb had a double celebration at Silverstone this weekend, following up being awarded BRDC “Rising Star” status with a victory in the UK Formula Renault Championship.

The British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) is the society which owns Silverstone Grand Prix circuit and counts every current and former F1, Le Mans and World Rally driver in its membership. The BRDC bestows its “Rising Star” status to a few of the most promising young drivers each year and this award gives a tremendous status and profile boost.

Fresh from learning he had been recognised for his successful 2009 campaign, Webb went into qualifying at the BRDC owned Silverstone circuit full of confidence. Webb dominated the incredibly congested session where drivers had just 20 minutes to set two quick times. Webb topped the session for 16 minutes and was then usurped in the final four minutes by the tiniest of margins.

Starting race one sixth, Webb was determined to make up lost ground and this led to an over-zealous start with Jordan Oakes then immediately on this tail. Unflustered, Webb fought off the early approaches of the youngster and then set about attacking his Fortec teammate Frederick Blomstedt. A brave passing manoeuvre saw Webb take fifth place where he remained until the end.

Starting a much more promising second in race two, Webb knew he had to make up lost ground after race one. The Formula BMW graduate got a superb start from the front row of the grid, quickly overhauling pole sitter and Championship rival, James Calado in the drag race to the first corner. Webb’s car was on an aggressive set-up to maximise potential at the beginning of the race and this strategy quickly paid dividends. Capitalising on his good start Webb began pulling out a lead little by little, despite strong pressure from Calado. With his tyres going off rapidly toward the end, the North West-based youngster did well to keep an increasingly unwieldy car on the track and take a well earned victory.

Afterwards a delighted Webb commented: “It is fantastic to take a victory after being awarded BRDC Rising Star status on Friday. This has been a great weekend all round, the BRDC award is a great help with meeting people to further my career and then to celebrate it with a victory in front of the BRDC members is perfect. I have a couple of exciting developments in the pipeline and I will be working hard now my A-levels have finished to make sure I get another great result at Snetterton.”

Webb is next in action on the first weekend in August at the ultra-high speed Snetterton circuit in Norfolk.