Read Our Exclusive Interview With Danny Webb

by Terry Hibberd

When Danny Webb launched his career on two wheels at the tender age of six years old back in 1997, the thought of being one of Britain’s brightest prospects in motorcycle racing was a speck on the horizon. But this season that time is here as he heads up the British challenge for the 125 Grand Prix World Championship after signing for the newly formed, Mahindra Racing team.

Last season saw the 20 year old from Kent, finished in an impressive tenth place overall in the 125GP standings with the Andalucia Cajasol Aprilia team and this year the young Brit is aiming higher as the spotlight is shone upon him as a rider in the first ever Indian owned team in the 125 Grand Prix World Championship, he said:

“Basically I want to be running in the top ten like we did last season, but there’s still work to do with the bike, it’s a developing team and we are all working so hard to get there.”

The new team and his role within it is a new concept for the young Brit, with Mahindra Racing being very keen on him getting more hands on with the bike than he has done in the past which is something he is relishing.

“It’s a lot more hard work than I’m used to do, as I now have the chance to work much closer with the guys on the bike then I ever could before and although I have got my work cut out I’m really enjoying it you know.”

As anyone knows, moving employers is a tough ask, with all the pitfalls that go with it. But, since signing up to race for the Indian manufacturer he has been able to fit in very well without too much trouble. Also for him to be in a team where bike development isn’t hampered by financial restrictions is something that allows Danny to concentrate on his own performance rather than worrying about the bike.

“I have a very good relationship with the team, the Indian guys who I have met are all really nice people and are obviously pushing to do well and the team who are developing and working on the bike are Italian and I get on really well with them too. It’s a really good team.

“There are no problems in relation to finance, we have great backing from Mahindra and they obviously want to do the best they can and get the best out of me.”

The Mahindra racing team is one of the newest entrants to the 125GP paddock this season and Danny knows that he has a tough task ahead of him with the fledgling team, although he is keen to prove some of the doubters wrong. But, if the truth be told, however harsh the criticism or the lingering doubts of outsiders, he is more than aware of the task at hand and what he is capable of.

“Some people have said that they expect me to struggle this season with a new bike and a new team, but to be honest, it goes in one ear and out of the other. We have a good team and money isn’t an issue so you know, it doesn’t bother me one bit.

“If anything other people’s comments only motivate me even more to do even better and after finishing 9th fastest at the second test in Estoril I think some people may have taken a little more notice.

“Most of the English press see this new bike as a developing bike and while some may think that the other Brits will do better than me on more developed and established machines, I believe in the project we have and I think we can do very well this season.”

In typical fashion though the hardworking lad from Tunbridge Wells is far from complacent about the task ahead.

“But as I have said there is still a lot of very hard work to do and although we have our work cut out we have the development team to make things happen.

“I want to try and break the top five if we can, testing in Valencia didn’t go that well and maybe I hoped for too much form the bike. But since then in Estoril we did very well and made quite a bit of improvement with the bike, so hopefully over the next three days in Jerez at the next test we can improve it even further.”

At the test in Jerez, Danny did just that, at one point he was topping the timing sheets aboard the new bike and team principal, Muffadal Choonia, was naturally delighted with the progress made despite slipping down the order by the tests end. Over the three day test in Spain, Danny was the fastest rider in the Mahindra team and is looking further ahead than the tests to get the bike to where it needs to be.

“The thing with a 125 bike you can make such small changes and it make a real big difference, but at the moment I am getting a really good feeling with the bike, and we are looking at it being a developing bike right up to say the fourth round of the Championship so it can only get better.”

Naturally he sees his future in the pinnacle of motorcycle sport, but for one so young he has a very calm head on his shoulders and would prefer to take one step at a time.

“MotoGP, that’s where everyone wants to be but I take each year and day as it comes to be honest. I have a two year deal with Mahindra which sees us through this season and into Moto3 and then hopefully the next step would be Moto2. But with the financial situation around the world like it is I tend not to look too far ahead and focus on what is happening now.”

Danny Webb has earned the right to race at the top level in motorcycle sport and arguably he has the drive and determination to get where he wants. He certainly knows that this upcoming season he has a task that many would shy away from, being part of a new unproven team and having the added pressure of gaining results whilst developing the bike.

But you can hear that special something in his voice, he appreciates where he is and this year could be his year to taste victory and stand proud on that top step of the podium, watch this space.