Sam Schmidt Motorsports (SSM) announced that Oliver Webb will run the entire Indy Lights schedule in 2012 for the team.
“The decision to move to the U.S. for Indy Lights was a tough one to make,” Webb said. “However, the efforts of Sam Schmidt and the team made it much easier. We have been in contact with Sam for a couple of years now, and after securing a podium in my Indy Lights debut, I was keen to have a full test program with Sam and the guys. I completed a two-day test and very quickly decided it was the right move for my career toward the top end of motorsport. I look forward to challenging for the 2012 title with SSM.”
The twenty-year-old comes from Knutsford, England after competing in the World Series by Renault in 2011 for Pons Racing. He made four Firestone Indy Lights starts in 2011 with Jensen MotorSport, scoring his first podium in Edmonton when he finished third.
SSM had a successful 2011 season as they won the championship with Josef Newgarden. For 2012, Newgarden will be competing in the IZOD IndyCar Series for Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing. The championship last season with Newgarden marked their fourth driver’s championship in six seasons.
“I have been waiting for this day for quite some time,” Schmidt said. “I invited Oli and his father to the Toronto race in 2009 and have been trying to get him into the series ever since. He is extremely dedicated, focused and has raced in some very competitive European series. He proved he can drive an Indy Lights car when he finished third in his first outing this past season. With his four Indy Lights starts in 2011, we look for him to be at the front of the grid in St. Pete and a championship contender all season.”
Webb will join the multi-car lineup that has 2011 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear champion Tristan Vautier behind the wheel.
