FROSTY’S CHILLING
MARK Winterbottom believes 2015 is his best chance to finally break through for a maiden V8 Supercars title.
But the 33-year-old Prodrive Racing Australia driver says he has to back himself against teammate Chaz Mostert, who he says has the pace and the “hell-for-leather” approach to racing that could prove a threat in the run home.
Winterbottom leads the standings on 1915 points. Mostert is just behind him in second place on 1741 points.
“He’s fast so he’s definitely a risk for the championship,” Winterbottom said of Mostert.
“You’re in the same garage so you can really keep an eye on what they do and effectively if what they’re doing is working, you can copy it or try to do it your own way.
“This year I think is the best chance we’ve had to win it because the car is genuinely quick.
“Last year, if you look at our average finishing position it wasn’t great but people were having problems around us.”
The series leader said it was 23year-old Mostert’s natural pace on track and attitude to the series that made him such a challenging proposition heading into the gruelling endurance races.
But Winterbottom has faith in his ability in qualifying at Sandown and to prove he has the pace to stave off Mostert.
“He’s got that no consequence-type attitude to racing at the moment,” he said.
“That could change when he gets a lot closer on points but at the moment he’s just going out, pushing it to the limits and not really thinking about anything else. His qualifying as well is just working.
“I’m trying to find what suits me as well but on most days I’m finishing second to him.
“I don’t think I’m slow either, I think I can get on top of this qualifying thing.
“Previously my qualifying record had been amazing.”
Regardless of whether he claims the V8 Supercars Championship in 2015, Winterbottom says Prodrive Racing Australia’s aim is for he and Mostert to be among the series’ top two for the next five years.
The Melbourne-based driver said the next three races could make or break his season.
But Winterbottom says he feels confident ahead of Sandown and Bathurst and is looking forward to a return to New Zealand later in the year.
“I had a bad run at Sydney but to be honest I haven’t really had a good run there ever,” he said.
“New Zealand for me is my strongest one for the calendar. I’ve always had very quick speed there.
“I’ve got a good run home in terms of tracks that are coming up.
“Ultimately the thing that’s going to win it is speed.”