Danny Webb Interview
Source: thisiskent.co.uk
Danny Webb has just turned 19, but on Sunday in Qatar he will be beginning his fourth season in 125cc MotoGP.
The Pembury ace has been brought up in the best and most glamorous motorcycling paddock in the world – and he intends to stay there.
This winter has been a real roller coaster ride for the youngster, but testing results have been promising. With a new team, Andulucia Racing, he finished sixth at the second test in Jerez, while last week, at the final test, at the same venue, he was 10th overall.
Thisiskent.co.uk caught up with him before that final test in Spain…
So Danny, it’s been an interesting winter. Has it gone better than expected?
To be honest, I didn’t think it would be this good. A month and a half ago, when Jack and Jones went bust, I was worried I wouldn’t have a ride. Luckily I got all signed up with Andulucia Racing and it’s gone well. As soon as I got to know the team, it clicked. In Jerez I was just taking it easy and we found ourselves in sixth. I was pretty amazed, as I didn’t feel I was pushing that hard.
At one point it looked like you’d be faster than Bradley Smith (fellow Brit and one of the championship favourites)?
Towards the end of the day we got dialled in. In the morning I’d used a different tyre. It had done 30-35 laps, a lot when race distance is only 25, and I was still getting good times. Late on, we stuck another tyre in and I was just getting into a rhythm, pushing for the top four, when I went onto the grass and had a little crash. But I’m ok and everything is looking good.
Realistically what do you think you can achieve this season?
I’m still going for that top 10, although now I think I can challenge a bit higher. I don’t want to get my hopes up too high, but we’ve got Qatar at the first round. I like it there and for sure I think I can get a good result. Hopefully, I’ll be top Brit.
They often say you can teach a rider not to crash, but you can’t teach one how to go fast. Is it fair to say one of the problems in your career has been too many crashes?
My last three years at De Graaf were fantastic, but there was no real rider tutoring. It was hard for me. I would be in the top 10 and they’d be like ‘go for it, go for it’. I’d be pushing 110 per cent all the time and sometimes I’d crash. With these new guys there are no worries.
They want me to build up slowly. In Valencia (first test) they asked me to go out and do my own thing. I only knew one way, pushed it and had a few crashes. In Jerez they took me to one side, went through things step by step and told me to take it easy. It proved to be the right thing to do. I did have a crash, but it was a bit unlucky. At this team there’s no pressure at all. They just want me to go out and do my best. If my best is 10th, then it’s 10th.
Who do you think will be your main rivals this year?
Judging by the test at Jerez, Marquez and Espagaro are far ahead. Vasquez has been quite quick this year, then you had Bradley, Nico (Terol) and me. After the top six, there was a big gap back to seventh. So, it looks like I’ll be in the shake-up at the front.
There are a couple of changes on the calendar this year, notably the British GP moving from Donington to Silverstone. You won’t be too disappointed about that, will you?
I liked Donington, but things never seemed to go my way. Silverstone looks like it’ll be a good track. It looks fast, which is what I like. I’m looking forward to going there.
You’ve just turned 19 and have been brought up in the world of MotoGP. Is it all glitz and glamour?
It’s been good, for sure. But from the age of 13 I’ve been away from home. At 14 I had an injury in Spain. I was in a hospital on my own. It was all a bit daunting. What it has done has made me grow up a lot quicker. I can cope on my own. When I go away with my mum and dad, it’s me telling them what to do!
As I say, it’s not a bad life, but you don’t get to see much of the cities. A normal weekend is going from the airport, to the hotel, to the track.
You must have a favourite destination?
Australia and Malaysia is usually in one trip. A couple of years ago, I stayed in Australia for a week and then had a week in Malaysia before the GP. The weather is a lot nicer than it is over here. In Malaysia, you get to go into their China Town and have them selling you all the fake stuff. It’s a totally different culture and a really nice country. My mum was born there – so it’s always been a bit special to me.
How important was it for you to stay in the MotoGP paddock?
When I found out about the team going bust, I was looking everywhere. AMA, World Superbikes, Supersport. Superbikes, with their four-stroke engines, would have been a big step, but I was looking at World Supersport and a Kawasaki ride.
However, I wanted to stay in MotoGP. When the 125 ride came up, it was ideal. MotoGP is the place to be. It’s a nice lifestyle. You see the stars like (Valentino) Rossi wandering about, and Tom Cruise – famous names like that are huge fans and go to loads of races. It’s nice to be there. GP is the ultimate. It’s the best paddock in the world, but I’ve got to get the results. This year I want to make a big name for myself.
Do you get to mix with the big boys, the likes of Rossi and Casey Stoner?
Me and James Toseland (fellow Brit) got on really well last year. He’s in World Superbikes now. It’s a shame, he was helping me out and was a good friend. He didn’t quite cut it, but was someone to look up to and is a great ambassador for the sport in this country.
Brad (Smith) gets on well with the good boys like Stoner and that. Me, I’ve got more in common with the likes of Colin Edwards and Rossi.
They’re a lot more chilled out. Edwards is a bit crazy, but good fun. It’s nice to have a big name like that to talk to. Edwards has been there and done it, but he’s also been down in the dumps, as has Rossi. It’s nice to mix with them.
Motorbikes and motorbike racing has always been seen as a bit rebellious. Are you saying it’s not like that anymore?
Six years ago, before I arrived, everyone used to mess about all the time. Now, only Edwards and Rossi really do.
I was at a race last year, parked up on the Wednesday next to Edwards. He had his music blaring and was p***** out of his head. But, when it comes to it, he gets the job done.
I have fun. Me and Scott (Redding – another Brit, racing in Moto2 this year) used to have a laugh on our scooters, but when it was time to start working, we’d work.
However, unlike some people, I’m not going to be sat around on my own, in my motor home.
Edwards calls the big four (Rossi, Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa) aliens. What’s it like watching them up close?
They are pretty unbelievable. Sometimes it’s frustrating when your flight is booked early and you have to leave before the MotoGP race. Vale is the best out of them, but Casey, the way he rides that Ducati is incredible. People say it’s all down to electronics, but you still need the confidence to whack open the throttle.
This year I think it might change a bit. Nicky (Hayden) and Ben (Spies) might be up there a bit closer, although those four will still be out in front and at the end, I’d back Rossi.
