Interview: Oliver Webb

For some young racers, the usual European route is not the best option. For British Racer Oliver Webb, America beckoned and with it came success.

(c) Oliver Webb

A Formula Renault and Formula 3 series race winner, Webb took the option to move Stateside and race in the Indy Lights series, the rung below IndyCar. After a successful first full season in the series, the Brit returns to racing in Europe in the Formula Renault 3.5 series. Check out my interview with Oliver ahead of the FR3.5 season.

Jack Leslie: So when were you first introduced to motorsport and when did you start competing?

Oliver Webb: I first started in Motorsports when I was around 10 years old at a friends go-kating party and got hooked. I then applied for a full karting License and took part in minimax and junior max at Three Sisters Wigan and GYG race tracks.

JL: Was there any specific driver that you looked up to or aspired to be like when you first started competing?

OW: Not in particular, I just saw Schumacher as the man to beat!

JL: Motorsport has always been expensive, but it seems now more than ever young racers are struggling to get in to series. What are your thoughts on this and the reasons?

OW: The problem with Motorsport is it isn't just something you can go and do, kick a ball around, hit a ball over a net somewhere on the weekend. It requires 30 flights for team personal, 30 hotel rooms in a forgone city for 2 days or more, track hire which can be up to 15-20k for the day, maintenance of a machine that is not the same price as your average tennis racket and then times this by the amount of races that make up a championship. There is the basic reason and fairly so as to why its so expensive. The unfair reason then gets more apparent closer to F1 as the more money, the quicker they can make the car. Around 1million Euros makes the car 1 tenth faster so hence the drivers market an auction ground as the money can make more of a difference than the driver.

JL: Obviously being a racing driver means so much more than driving the car, do you enjoy all the other aspects of the sport like interviews, sponsor demands etc?

OW: I do to a point, out of season we thrive on it as it reminds us of being back in the car, training ramps up and so do media activities, in season focus is the main thing.

JL: Formula Renault is a series that comes in many variations, you have had success at a fair few. What are your highlights from racing under that banner?

(c) Autosport

OW: Leading the Formula Renault 2.0 championship from round 1 to the very last round was a great highlight with Fortec, its a shame I didn't finish the last 2 races and fell to 3rd in the championship however it was a great year.

JL: You are a former race winner in the British Formula 3 series, is it sad for you to see the series limited to just four rounds?

OW: Yes its very sad after BF3 was the largest F3 series for a couple years, as Euroseries deteriorated. I think there will be a great championship now that they are all joined however.

JL: You took a different path to the norm in 2011 and headed for the United States, why was this?

OW: This was mainly due to funding and the desire to earn a career in motor racing which wasn't happening over in Europe and can happen over in the USA

JL: How did you find racing in America and what were the main differences and challenges?

OW: Oval racing was a big challenge but one I loved, the first time i ever did a lap round the IMS it was a dream and an amazing sensation to have. I loved living in the USA and made some great friends that I will never forget and some amazing memories, I hope the sates will wait for me if I ever come back!

(c) FR3.5

JL: You will make your return to the FR3.5 series in 2013, what are your main aims and objectives for the year?

OW: Finish in the top 3 of the championship and get some good results.

JL: Finally who will be your toughest rival this season?

OW: Stoffel, my team mate is strong, as is Magnussen and Costa