Guardian Sport

Knutsford ace Oliver Webb is happy after first British F3 test of the New Year

By Andrew Simpson

4:06pm Friday 5th March 2010

OLIVER Webb proved he has the speed to match his rivals at last week’s first Cooper Tires British F3 International series test of the year.

The Knutsford ace was among the front-runners at the two-day pre-season outing at Snetterton, in Norfolk, despite being new to the championship.

“To be right up there with the quickest drivers is where I want to be,” he said.

“It was a good test and I’m happy with my times.”

On Wednesday the 18-year-old was fifth fastest in class in sodden conditions while former Formula Renault UK foe James Calado (Carlin Mortorsport) – another newcomer to the series – topped the timesheet.

The following day, Thursday, saw Webb emerge as quickest of all as the track began to dry with a time nearly eight tenths of a second faster than his closest rival could manage.

He slipped back down to seventh by the end of the afternoon session as a damaged wheel prevented him taking advantage of the improving conditions.

Daisuke Nakajima and Carlos Huertas, both from Raikkonen Robertson Racing, were the pace-setting runners on the second day.

“Lots of the other guys have done a year in British F3 already, which makes it one of the most competitive series to be part of,” added Fortec Motorsport’s Webb.

“It’s vital to gain as much experience as I can ahead of the first race, so it was great to get more than 100 laps in on each day last week.

“The priority was testing the new parts on the car and that in itself has been a new experience for me as in all the series I have raced before the car has been a fixed specification.

“F3 is very different.”

Webb was due at Rockingham for the second pre-season test before heading to home circuit Oulton Park next Wednesday, March 10.

The 30-races long season starts at there at Easter.

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