They may technically be Holden comrades but it seems there is still no love lost between Supercars stars Jamie Whincup and Mark Winterbottom.
Seven-time series champion Whincup had a cheeky dig at the driver nicknamed « Frosty » after was asked what it was like sharing race data before the first race of the Supercars opening round in Adelaide.
Ford hero and 2015 series winner Winterbottom joined the Holden fold when he signed with Irwin Racing for 2019, to end a successful 13-season stint with Tickford Racing.
Irwin Racing boasts a Commodore constructed by Triple Eight Engineering, the same makers for Whincup’s pace-setting Holden outfit Red Bull Racing (RBR).
It ensures Irwin Racing share data with RBR, giving Whincup a chance to look at Winterbottom’s stats for the first time.
Asked if it was the first time he had been privy to Winterbottom’s race data, Whincup said with a smile: « It is actually. He is a good driver, real good.
« He will go far. He will go places. »
Asked if he had learned anything from Winterbottom yet, Whincup said tongue in cheek: « Um, no, no. More throttle and less you brake the more you go. »
The duo’s rivalry spans almost 20 years when they clashed in their go kart racing days.
Whincup qualified second fastest for the top 10 shootout, which will determine the front of the grid for Saturday’s opening 250km race.
Winterbottom will start 16th on the grid.
Whincup did miss the absence of former teammate and three-time series champion Craig Lowndes, who has retired from full-time driving this year.
Seven-time Bathurst champion and fan favourite Lowndes will only feature in the three endurance rounds this year as a co-driver after switching to a media career.
« We do miss his smile and personality around the garage, » Whincup said of Lowndes.
« But every debrief is sped up. It is a third faster, so there is definitely some positives.
« I believe a two-car operation is the best way to go. »
http://www.espn.com/v8-supercars/story/_/id/26111832/whincup-dig-holden-comrade-frosty
