Season in Review: Jonathon Webb

Amongst suggestions 2013 may have been his last year full-time in V8 Supercars, Jonathon Webb emerged strong and finished the first of Sydney’s two races on the podium. Results varied for the team owner/driver last season, scoring the most points at Darwin and in Race 15 in Austin after post-race penalties were applied to those ahead of him.

Webb spoke to v8supercars.com.au about the year and his highlights.

V8supercars.com.au: What was your best race?

Webb: “I think it would have to be the way we ended on Saturday at Homebush. It was a nice way to end the season.”

Most disappointing race?

“I think probably my most disappointing was … Sunday at Homebush. Knowing that we had good car speed, obviously Shane (van Gisbergen, teammate) was fast, we didn’t get much further than the first corner unfortunately and even after that when we were on old tyres, things like that we were just as quick as the guys at the front. It could’ve been a good day but it obviously wasn’t.” 

Best battle?

“For me Texas felt like the one that got away – dicing with my teammate towards the end and Fabian (Coulthard) as well. I gave Shane the benefit of the doubt and let him try and fight with Fabian and me stay out of it, but in the end of the day I probably should’ve just got in there and probably could’ve passed both of them and ended up with another trophy, I think we deserved it! But trying to play the nice teammate probably cost me." 

Best off-track memory or achievement?

“I think as far as … my team owner perspective, definitely Shane’s pole position and his win first weekend out.”

What was your goal coming into the season and how did it play out?

“I think for me the season was to finish in the top 10 of the Championship which, unfortunately after the disappointing Sunday, wasn’t to be, even though it was so, so close.”

Best achievement for the team?

“Definitely again coming back for Shane and I having second and third on the podium on Saturday – a huge high as far as the team’s concerned.”

The most challenging part of running the new generation cars?

“I think just trying to rethink everything that I’ve done in a V8 Supercar, probably more than anything quite different to set up and develop as a competitive car.”

How would you rate your season out for 10?

“For me I’d probably give it a five.” 

Best performance by another driver?

“Jamie’s the first one that comes to mind – he’s done a pretty good job this year with not easy circumstances at times.”

Most valuable co-driver?

“I think definitely Dumbrell – I saw (he will drive with Jamie again) and Richo’s going to drive with Craig. That is a surprise, it might upset a few Ford fans!”

Best change for the Championship for 2014?

“Friday tyres (allowing drivers a set of greens to run during practice).

“That is a new rule, that is definitely the one I’d going for. It’s something we lacked this year, seeing people run around on wets and silly things like that at certain events. Definitely required to keep the category at the level it is, to have some tyres for the guys to be able to drive on and develop a strong competitive car for the weekend…

“The parity thing is one thing, the twilight race at Homebush was ok, I don’t know if it will be overly exciting. I think it might work quite well as far as keeping the crowds that time of the day for watching on TV, as far as driving it probably doesn’t change all that much.”

Webb in 2013