These ELMS champions that stepped up to WEC – Part II
The European Le Mans Series has long been recognised as important in the development in the careers of teams and drivers wishing to compete at the top of endurance racing, either in the World Endurance Championship or at the 24 Heures du Mans.
Four questions to Oliver Webb, 2014 ELMS Champion and driver of n°43 Morgan EVO of Team SARD Morand in WEC in 2015.
OLIVER WEBB Champion ELMS 2014 Signatech Alpine A450b WEC 2015
1. You have been successful in the ELMS, what is the goal for 2015 in the WEC?
For the 2015 WEC season the main goal for us is to have some podiums and Wins. I haven’t been to some of these tracks on the large calendar so learning these is also very important for my future in the series with Sard Morand.
2. How has winning in ELMS prepared you for the challenge of the WEC in 2015?
It has certainly been a great year last year, a learning year but fantastic to win in my first year of endurance racing. All of the tracks I already knew except Le Mans. The main learning curve was in traffic and strategy and with even longer races this year I can use this to my advantage as I progress into WEC.
3. The WEC races on some of the best tracks in the world. Of the four circuits not in Europe, which ones have you raced on before and which are you looking forward to the most.
Ive not raced at Fuji, Texas, Shanghai or Bahrain so it will be really interesting for me. I have however been to Texas for the F1 and Bahrain for the F1 so I like the places. It will be amazing to travel the world with this great team on a great calendar and take on some of the best cars, teams and drivers in the world on these great tracks.
4. You have raced at the 24 Heures du Mans but does it make any difference to how you approach the race now that you will be scoring double WEC championship points in 2015?
I think it does a little, as this plays into strategy for some teams. It still falls early on in the championship year so I don’t think it will be a huge difference in the way teams and we approach it. We will be pushing for the win after my podium in my debut year last year.