2:19pm Friday 28th May 2010
By Andrew Simpson
OLIVER Webb leads the Cooper Tires British F3 International series in his debut season after winning twice at a circuit he had never seen before.
The Knutsford teenager finished second for the fifth time in nine races either side of his double victory at French circuit Magny-Cours to swap places with home favourite Jean-Eric Vergne at the top of the drivers’ standings.
“It could hardly have gone any better,” he said.
“I had always targeted a race win in my first year at this level, but to do it twice at a circuit I’d never been too before and against someone who knows it back-to-front is amazing.”
Webb, who drives for Fortec Motorsport, is two points clear of Carlin-backed rival Vergne ahead of this weekend’s round at Hockenheim in Germany.
The 19-year-old, alongside Vergne on the front row for race one, made the most of his rivals’ botched start to pinch the lead from lights to flag.
Hitech duo Gabriel Dias and Will Buller completed podium line-up.
He said: “I knew I was quicker than anyone else and, even if Vergne had got back behind me I had the pace to beat him.
“I just concentrated on quick lap times and everything went to plan.”
With a reverse grid for the second race on Sunday, Webb moved up to fourth from seventh place on the start line.
He sneaked into third place by the end after passing Jazeman Jaafar (Carlin), only to be promoted to second on the podium after race winner Dias was disqualified for jumping the start.
Vergne made up for his disappointment the previous day by taking a win for Calin.
The final race was similar to the first, Webb roaring past pole man Vergne again before holding off the Frenchman’s challenge to score a second win of the weekend.
Webb’s rival followed for each of the 25 laps, although who could not find a way to snatch back the lead.
“It’s been a bad two days,” rued Vergne afterwards.
He is right.
Webb’s smile betrayed his mood.
“It’s exactly what I needed,” he beamed.
Cooper Tires British F3 International series
Drivers’ standings (after nine races)
1. Oliver Webb GBR (Fortec Motorsport) 115pts
2. Jean-Eric Vergne FRA (Carlin Motorsport) 113
3. James Calado GBR (Carlin Motorsport) 67
4. Gabriel Dias BRA (Hitech) 59
5. Adriano Buzaid BRA (Carlin Motorsport) 52
6. Daisuke Nakajima JAP (Raikkonen Robertson) 49
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