Oliver Webb
Encyclopedia
Oliver "Oli" Webb is a British
auto racing
driver.
karting scene with the help of management from British Touring Car Championship
driver Michael Bentwood
. With more experience, Webb started to win races at the Three Sisters Karting Circuit in Wigan
, eventually winning that circuit's Mini Max Championship in 2004. He finished fourth in the Junior Max Championship in 2005, combining that with a season in T Cars.
with Graham Hathaway Engineering
in 2005, combining the campaign with schoolwork and his karting career. He continued into the 2005 Autumn Trophy, finishing second to Adrian Quaife-Hobbs
. He finished third in the 2006 main series, winning three races, a non-championship double-header at Brands Hatch
, and achieved a record seven fastest laps in a season.
Scholarship Programme where drivers had the opportunity to be awarded with a financial contribution towards their racing budget, and an education and coaching programme from BMW Motorsport. Webb was one of the six chosen drivers for the scholarship, moving into Formula BMW UK in 2007
. Webb drove for Carlin Motorsport
, alongside Henry Surtees
. Webb finished ninth in the championship, despite not finishing on the podium in any of the twenty races.
to compete in the Winter Series in 2007. Competing for Fortec Motorsport
, Webb finished fifteenth in the four-race series, with a best race result of eleventh at Croft
. Webb continued his progression up the British motorsport ladder, by moving into the main British series for the 2008 season
. Staying with Fortec, Webb finished every single race in the points en route to eighth in the overall championship. His best result was fourth place at round seventeen, at Silverstone
. He finished third in the Graduates Cup for first-year drivers, behind Dean Stoneman and James Calado
.
Webb competed in three other Formula Renault series during the season, competing in the Northern European Cup
, and the British and Portuguese Winter Series championships. In the NEC, he recorded a fourth place finish at Spa
, and added a twelfth at Zolder
to wind up 25th in the standings. In the UK Winter Series, Webb finished fourth overall in the four-race series, finishing on the podium at Rockingham
. A retirement in the second race cost him a top-three championship spot. Finally, he finished as runner-up to team-mate Calado in the Portuguese Winter Series, with the two taking all four victories, Calado with three and Webb with one.
In 2009, Webb returned for a second season in Formula Renault UK. Consistency was the key for Webb, as he finished all but one race of the season, winning two races at Brands Hatch
and at Silverstone
. Webb was never outside the top-five in the championship standings, leading the championship after fourteen races before falling behind Dean Smith
and Calado later in the season. Webb achieved ten podiums over the course of the season. He also made his first foray into the Eurocup
, taking part in the rounds in Barcelona
and at Le Mans
.
, Webb continued to drive for Fortec, but stepped up to compete in the British Formula Three Championship
. Webb finished third in the championship with three wins, thirteen podium finishes, and four fastest laps.
Webb signed with the Spanish Pons Racing
team to race in Formula Renault 3.5. Through seven rounds of the championship Webb sits 23rd in the championship, only finishing in the points twice.
double-header at Edmonton for Jensen MotorSport
. Webb finished on the podium in third in the first attrition-filled race and finished fifth in the second. He rejoined the team for the race in Baltimore
where he crashed out after running in the top five and made his oval racing debut at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway
season finale where he finished tenth.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
auto racing
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
driver.
Karting
Webb began his career in karting at the age of nine, progressing up through the ranks in the Greater ManchesterGreater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
karting scene with the help of management from British Touring Car Championship
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
driver Michael Bentwood
Michael Bentwood
Michael Bentwood is a British auto racing driver. After starting racing in Karting, he entered the 1994 Formula First Winter Series, finishing the season in tenth. In 1995 he finished fifth in the Formula Vauxhall Junior Winter Series...
. With more experience, Webb started to win races at the Three Sisters Karting Circuit in Wigan
Wigan
Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south-west of Bolton, north of Warrington and west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total...
, eventually winning that circuit's Mini Max Championship in 2004. He finished fourth in the Junior Max Championship in 2005, combining that with a season in T Cars.
T Cars
Webb moved into T CarsT Cars
T Cars was a saloon car-based motor racing series based in the United Kingdom, open exclusively to drivers between the ages of 14 and 17. The series was set up in 1999 and was the first championship in the UK to allow drivers under the age of 16 to drive racing cars...
with Graham Hathaway Engineering
Graham Hathaway
Graham Hathaway is a British retired auto racing driver. He is presently running his own team Graham Hathaway Racing . His racing career has seen him compete in rallycross and saloon cars...
in 2005, combining the campaign with schoolwork and his karting career. He continued into the 2005 Autumn Trophy, finishing second to Adrian Quaife-Hobbs
Adrian Quaife-Hobbs
Adrian Rodney Quaife-Hobbs is a British race car driver, notable for being the youngest driver to win the T Cars championship and the youngest ever winner of an MSA-sanctioned car racing series...
. He finished third in the 2006 main series, winning three races, a non-championship double-header at Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit near West Kingsdown in Kent, England. First used as a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986 and currently holds many British and international racing events...
, and achieved a record seven fastest laps in a season.
Formula BMW
At the conclusion of the 2006 season, Bentwood entered Webb into the Formula BMWFormula BMW
Formula BMW is a junior racing formula for single seater cars. It is positioned at the bottom of the motorsport career ladder alongside the longer established Formula Ford category...
Scholarship Programme where drivers had the opportunity to be awarded with a financial contribution towards their racing budget, and an education and coaching programme from BMW Motorsport. Webb was one of the six chosen drivers for the scholarship, moving into Formula BMW UK in 2007
2007 Formula BMW UK season
The 2007 Formula BMW UK season was the fourth and final Formula BMW season based in United Kingdom whose mission was to develop talented young drivers and introduce them to auto racing using full-size cars. The series was part of the support race package for the BTCC.-Teams and...
. Webb drove for Carlin Motorsport
Carlin Motorsport
Carlin, formerly Carlin Motorsport, is a motor racing team based in the United Kingdom. It competes in four championships — British Formula Three Championship, GP3 Series, World Series by Renault and GP2 Series.-History:...
, alongside Henry Surtees
Henry Surtees
Henry John Surtees was a British racing driver and the son of John Surtees.-Formula BMW UK:Henry Surtees finished his debut season in the championship 7th in the overall points standings, and second in the Rookie Cup...
. Webb finished ninth in the championship, despite not finishing on the podium in any of the twenty races.
Formula Renault
He moved to the British Formula Renault ChampionshipBritish Formula Renault Championship
The United Kingdom has two Formula Renault championships: Renault Sport UK's Formula Renault UK championship and the British Automobile Racing Club's BARC Formula Renault championship. Generally, the UK series is recognized as the British Formula Renault.-History:The "British Formula Renault...
to compete in the Winter Series in 2007. Competing for Fortec Motorsport
Fortec Motorsport
Fortec Motorsport Ltd. is a motor-racing team that races in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, the British Formula Three Championship, and several junior formulae categories at a British and pan-European level...
, Webb finished fifteenth in the four-race series, with a best race result of eleventh at Croft
Croft Circuit
Croft Circuit is a motor racing circuit located near Dalton-on-Tees in North Yorkshire, England. The tarmac circuit is just over long and is based on the lands of an airfield, but has long since moved on from being a basic airfield circuit...
. Webb continued his progression up the British motorsport ladder, by moving into the main British series for the 2008 season
2008 Formula Renault UK season
The 2008 Formula Renault UK season was the 20th British Formula Renault Championship season. The season began at Brands Hatch on March 29 and finished at the same venue on September 21, after twenty rounds...
. Staying with Fortec, Webb finished every single race in the points en route to eighth in the overall championship. His best result was fourth place at round seventeen, at Silverstone
Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
. He finished third in the Graduates Cup for first-year drivers, behind Dean Stoneman and James Calado
James Calado
James John Calado is a British auto racing driver, whose career has been funded by the Racing Steps Foundation.-Karting:Calado had an extensive karting career, starting out at Cadets level in 1999...
.
Webb competed in three other Formula Renault series during the season, competing in the Northern European Cup
Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup
The Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup is a Formula Renault 2.0 championship held on Northern Europe...
, and the British and Portuguese Winter Series championships. In the NEC, he recorded a fourth place finish at Spa
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix and the Spa 24 Hours endurance race. It is also home to the all Volkswagen club event, 25 Hours of Spa, run by the Uniroyal Fun Cup. It is one of the most challenging race tracks in the world, mainly due to its...
, and added a twelfth at Zolder
Zolder
The Circuit Zolder, also known as Circuit Terlaemen, is an undulating motorsport race track in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.Built in 1963, Zolder hosted the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix on 10 separate occasions in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the 1980 Belgian motorcycle Grand Prix. The F1 circus...
to wind up 25th in the standings. In the UK Winter Series, Webb finished fourth overall in the four-race series, finishing on the podium at Rockingham
Rockingham Motor Speedway
Rockingham is the UK's most modern motorsport venue and Europe's fastest racing circuit, hosting corporate driving days, driver training, conferencing & exhibitions, vehicle manufacturing events, track days, testing, driving experiences and motorsport...
. A retirement in the second race cost him a top-three championship spot. Finally, he finished as runner-up to team-mate Calado in the Portuguese Winter Series, with the two taking all four victories, Calado with three and Webb with one.
In 2009, Webb returned for a second season in Formula Renault UK. Consistency was the key for Webb, as he finished all but one race of the season, winning two races at Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch
Brands Hatch is a motor racing circuit near West Kingsdown in Kent, England. First used as a dirt track motorcycle circuit on farmland, it hosted 12 runnings of the British Grand Prix between 1964 and 1986 and currently holds many British and international racing events...
and at Silverstone
Silverstone Circuit
Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side...
. Webb was never outside the top-five in the championship standings, leading the championship after fourteen races before falling behind Dean Smith
Dean Smith (racing driver)
Dean Smith is a British racing driver, who was the 2009 champion of the British Formula Renault Championship and winner of that year's McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.-Formula BMW:...
and Calado later in the season. Webb achieved ten podiums over the course of the season. He also made his first foray into the Eurocup
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 is a Formula Renault 2.0 championship with a presence of many Formula Renault championships drivers. It serves as a support series to the Formula Renault 3.5 Series as part of the World Series by Renault....
, taking part in the rounds in Barcelona
Circuit de Catalunya
The Circuit de Catalunya is a racetrack in Montmeló, to the north of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. With long straights and a variety of corners, the Circuit de Catalunya is seen as an all-rounder circuit.-History:...
and at Le Mans
Circuit de la Sarthe
The Circuit des 24 Heures, also known as Circuit de la Sarthe, located near Le Mans, France, is a semi-permanent race course most famous as the venue for the 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race. The track uses local roads that remain open to the public most of the year...
.
Formula Three
For the 2010 season2010 British Formula Three season
The 2010 British Formula Three season was the 60th British Formula Three Championship season. It began on April 3 at Oulton Park and finished on September 26 at Brands Hatch after 30 races at ten meetings, held in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Belgium.For the third season in succession, a...
, Webb continued to drive for Fortec, but stepped up to compete in the British Formula Three Championship
British Formula Three Championship
The British Formula Three Championship is an international motor racing series that takes place primarily in the United Kingdom with a small number of events in mainland Europe. It is a junior-level feeder formula that uses small single seater Formula Three chassis. Its current official title is...
. Webb finished third in the championship with three wins, thirteen podium finishes, and four fastest laps.
Formula Renault 3.5
For 20112011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series season
The 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series season will be the seventh season of the Renault–supported single–seater category. It is due to be the final season for the current Dallara chassis with Renault Sport Technologies having confirmed a new car for the 2012 season.After featuring 12 teams during the...
Webb signed with the Spanish Pons Racing
Pons Racing
Pons Racing is an motorcycle and auto racing team based in Spain. The team was founded by former 250cc world champion Sito Pons in 1992. In motorcycle road racing world championships, Pons has fielded riders such as Alex Barros, Max Biaggi and Sete Gibernau...
team to race in Formula Renault 3.5. Through seven rounds of the championship Webb sits 23rd in the championship, only finishing in the points twice.
Indy Lights
Webb made his debut in the American Firestone Indy Lights series at the 20112011 Indy Lights season
The 2011 Indy Lights season is a season of open wheel motor racing in which cars' drivers will compete against each other using cars which conform to the Indy Lights set of motor racing regulations. It is the 26th season of the Indy Lights series and the tenth sanctioned by IndyCar where the...
double-header at Edmonton for Jensen MotorSport
Jensen MotorSport
Jensen MotorSport is an auto racing team that competes in the Firestone Indy Lights series. It formerly competed in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship, the Formula BMW Americas Championship, and fielded a car for one Champ Car World Series race...
. Webb finished on the podium in third in the first attrition-filled race and finished fifth in the second. He rejoined the team for the race in Baltimore
Baltimore Grand Prix
The Baltimore Grand Prix is an IndyCar Series and American Le Mans Series race held on a street circuit in Baltimore, Maryland. The inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix was held September 4, 2011. The races are contested on a temporary street circuit around the Inner Harbor area of downtown Baltimore...
where he crashed out after running in the top five and made his oval racing debut at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, located in Clark County, Nevada near Las Vegas, is a complex of multiple tracks for automobile racing. The complex is owned by Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.-History:...
season finale where he finished tenth.
Career summary
| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | T Cars T Cars T Cars was a saloon car-based motor racing series based in the United Kingdom, open exclusively to drivers between the ages of 14 and 17. The series was set up in 1999 and was the first championship in the UK to allow drivers under the age of 16 to drive racing cars... |
Graham Hathaway Engineering Graham Hathaway Graham Hathaway is a British retired auto racing driver. He is presently running his own team Graham Hathaway Racing . His racing career has seen him compete in rallycross and saloon cars... |
? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| T Cars T Cars T Cars was a saloon car-based motor racing series based in the United Kingdom, open exclusively to drivers between the ages of 14 and 17. The series was set up in 1999 and was the first championship in the UK to allow drivers under the age of 16 to drive racing cars... Autumn Trophy |
? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 117 | 2nd | ||
| 2006 | T Cars T Cars T Cars was a saloon car-based motor racing series based in the United Kingdom, open exclusively to drivers between the ages of 14 and 17. The series was set up in 1999 and was the first championship in the UK to allow drivers under the age of 16 to drive racing cars... |
Graham Hathaway Engineering Graham Hathaway Graham Hathaway is a British retired auto racing driver. He is presently running his own team Graham Hathaway Racing . His racing career has seen him compete in rallycross and saloon cars... |
20 | 3 | 3 | ? | 11 | 133 | 3rd |
| 2007 | Formula BMW UK 2007 Formula BMW UK season The 2007 Formula BMW UK season was the fourth and final Formula BMW season based in United Kingdom whose mission was to develop talented young drivers and introduce them to auto racing using full-size cars. The series was part of the support race package for the BTCC.-Teams and... |
Carlin Motorsport Carlin Motorsport Carlin, formerly Carlin Motorsport, is a motor racing team based in the United Kingdom. It competes in four championships — British Formula Three Championship, GP3 Series, World Series by Renault and GP2 Series.-History:... |
18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 406 | 9th |
| British Formula Renault 2.0 Winter Series | Fortec Motorsport Fortec Motorsport Fortec Motorsport Ltd. is a motor-racing team that races in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, the British Formula Three Championship, and several junior formulae categories at a British and pan-European level... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 15th | |
| 2008 | British Formula Renault 2.0 2008 Formula Renault UK season The 2008 Formula Renault UK season was the 20th British Formula Renault Championship season. The season began at Brands Hatch on March 29 and finished at the same venue on September 21, after twenty rounds... |
Fortec Motorsport Fortec Motorsport Fortec Motorsport Ltd. is a motor-racing team that races in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, the British Formula Three Championship, and several junior formulae categories at a British and pan-European level... |
20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 267† | 8th |
| Formula Renault 2.0 NEC | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 27th | ||
| British Formula Renault 2.0 Winter Series | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 4th | ||
| Portuguese Formula Renault 2.0 Winter Series | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 2nd | ||
| 2009 | British Formula Renault 2.0 2009 Formula Renault UK season The 2009 Formula Renault UK season was the 21st British Formula Renault Championship. The season began at Brands Hatch on April 5 and ended at the same venue on October 4, after twenty rounds held in England. Dean Smith won the title, despite missing the opening rounds of the series... |
Fortec Motorsport Fortec Motorsport Fortec Motorsport Ltd. is a motor-racing team that races in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, the British Formula Three Championship, and several junior formulae categories at a British and pan-European level... |
20 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 419† | 3rd |
| Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup 2009 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 season The 2009 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 season was the nineteenth Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 season. The season began at Circuit de Catalunya on April 18 and finished at the Ciudad del Motor de Aragón on October 25, after fourteen rounds. This season was the last for the current specification Tatuus... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29th | ||
| 2010 | British Formula Three Championship 2010 British Formula Three season The 2010 British Formula Three season was the 60th British Formula Three Championship season. It began on April 3 at Oulton Park and finished on September 26 at Brands Hatch after 30 races at ten meetings, held in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Belgium.For the third season in succession, a... |
Fortec Motorsport Fortec Motorsport Fortec Motorsport Ltd. is a motor-racing team that races in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, the British Formula Three Championship, and several junior formulae categories at a British and pan-European level... |
30 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 250 | 3rd |
| 2011 | Firestone Indy Lights 2011 Indy Lights season The 2011 Indy Lights season is a season of open wheel motor racing in which cars' drivers will compete against each other using cars which conform to the Indy Lights set of motor racing regulations. It is the 26th season of the Indy Lights series and the tenth sanctioned by IndyCar where the... |
Jensen MotorSport Jensen MotorSport Jensen MotorSport is an auto racing team that competes in the Firestone Indy Lights series. It formerly competed in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship, the Formula BMW Americas Championship, and fielded a car for one Champ Car World Series race... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 104 | 18th |
- * Season in progress. † - After dropped scores.