Webb prepares for his BBC screen debut

Posted on in Latest News

04 February 2013

Webb prepares for his BBC screen debut ahead of 2013 World Series by Renault FR3.5 season

.A one-off documentary following up-and-coming British racing driver Oliver Webb will be aired on BBC1 North West later this month, giving a unique insight the preparations for his return to the World Series by Renault FR3.5 championship. The programme, ‘Inside Out’, fronted by BBC Radio 2 and 6music presenter Chris Hawkins, will be shown in the UK on BBC1 North West at 19.30GMT, Monday 11 February 2013.

The fly-on the-wall-documentary follows 21-year old BRDC Superstar driver Webb for a week during the busy pre-season build-up, giving a glimpse into the often unseen work that goes into forging a career in motorsport. The documentary captures Oli as he prepares for the next step on the ladder towards his ultimate goal of Formula 1™, as he gets ready to start the 2013 season with Fortec Motorsport, the team he spent two successful seasons with contesting the Formula Renault championship in 2008 and 2009 and claimed third place in the British Formula 3 championship with in 2010.

Webb knows what is expected in order to race in the competitive World Series by Renault FR3.5 championship having contested the 2011 season, and the film crew follows his busy schedule working through a rigorous training regime as he gets into shape and prepares for the physical demands that the 2013 calendar will throw at him. There is also an insight into Webb’s role as test driver for BAC, as he continues to work on the development of the single-seat Mono sportscar.

Webb gives presenter Hawkins a behind the scenes look at how preparations are progressing at Fortec Motorsport, simulator sessions at the factory of reigning Formula 1™ world champions Red Bull Racing, as well as a look at some of the PR and marketing work that race drivers must undertake, as the Knutsford-born racer attends promotional photoshoots and pre-season interviews at the World Series by Renault workshop.

Webb explained: ‘It has been a busy few months during the off-season preparing for the start of the new World Series by Renault championship, and I can’t wait to get back out on track with Fortec – a team I have tasted success with before in my career, and hopefully will again soon.’

He continued: ‘This documentary followed me during a typically busy week which was packed with preparations for the season, and gives a look at how I am preparing myself for racing back in Europe after a year in the US. It also shows the other elements that I am currently involved with, working with the team at BAC as a development driver, and also how I have been working with the team at Red Bull Racing and using the simulator to keep my reflexes and driving at the necessary levels to hit the ground running when we get to Monza for the first race of the season.’

Webb continues his preparations for the 2013 World Series by Renault FR3.5 season with a trip to Italy, where he will spend Valentine’s Day testing with Fortec Motorsport, ahead of the first race of the season over the weekend 6-7 April.

‘Inside Out’ will be shown in the UK on BBC1 North West at 19.30GMT, Monday 11 February 2013, and will also be available for viewers outside of the North West region via the red button, and on the BBC iPlayer – http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/tv.

For further information about Oliver Webb, visit http://www.oliwebbracing.com/ or follow him on twitter, www.twitter.com/oliverjameswebb.