Oliver Webb returned to the cockpit for PONS Racing team this weekend as the World Series by Renault championship travelled to Germany’s famous Nürburgring.

Changeable conditions and a string of bad luck saw Webb retire from the weekend’s opening race, before finishing 16th in the second.

Webb, a former Ryles Park pupil, was on his debut event at the 5.15km circuit but a three-week lay-off and plenty of simulation practice served the 19-year-old well.

After a bout of heavy rain, Webb – battling for a top-10 spot in qualifying – gambled with slick tyres, hoping that they’d reach the right temperature when the track dried out.

He secured a well-deserved 15th place on the grid but, as the race started, the rain began to fall once more and, despite some light contact into turn one, he retained his place.

However, with the rain intensifying, a spin at the end of the first lap caused a puncture, followed by two pit stops in the first 18 laps that ended his participation.

Race two saw Webb take 16th place overall after a series of bold passing moves and he said afterwards: "It was nice to get back racing, this is another new track for me, and I only really got to grips with the mixture of undulating corners when I got out on the track. My main focus now is improving in qualifying. I’m taking things race by race, and I’m keen to learn as much as I can."