OLIVER Webb is feeling optimistic about making an impression at the prestigious Le Mans 24-hour race after his team’s latest showing at Spa last weekend.

They finished sixth overall in the World Endurance Championship’s second round at the Belgian track, setting a record in the process.

The ByKolles Racing Team machine, powered by a new Nissan engine this season, registered the fastest speed at the circuit after reaching 320.6kph.

The previous best, set in 2015, was 319.5kph.

“We’re where we want to be,” said the Knutsford ace.

“An overall podium at Le Mans is possible if our car continues to remain reliable.”

The 26-year-old spent completed the middle stint of a six-hour race, sharing driving duty with James Rossiter and Dominik Kraihamer for the Austrian outfit.

They privateer entry had struggled during qualifying, setting only the 11th fastest time.

However they recovered during the race to finish behind the factory-backed cars in the series’ LMP1 class.

Webb said: “We tried out different aero configurations, and went with one that will be best for Le Mans knowing it wouldn’t be perfect for Spa.

“It became a test for us.”

After failing to finish the season’s curtain-raiser at Silverstone last month, when damage to their car following contact with a rival in the pit-lane prompted an early end to their involvement, he has been encouraged by progress since.

He added: “There were no issues [at Spa], and the car is the best it’s felt.”

Webb is back in action on home soil this weekend, when he joins the McLaren Strakka team for the latest round of the Blancplain GT Series at Silverstone.