2 weeks Ago By Harrison Reid
Retiring Supercars legend Mark Winterbottom has refused to rule out a return to Ford as a co-driver in 2025. The 2015 Supercars Championship winner announced on Thursday that 2024 would be his last season as a full-time driver after 21 years on the grid. The 43-year-old will not be lost to the sport though, with intentions to find a home as a co-driver next year.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Winterbottom first made a name for himself with the Blue Oval in 2003, where he became the Konica V8 Supercars Series champion in a Ford. He joined the V8 Supercars championships (now called Supercars) in 2004 with Larkham Motor Sport and remained in a Ford until 2018 across stints with Ford Performance Racing, Prodrive Racing Australia (FPR renamed) and Tickford Racing (PRA renamed). Since 2019 though, the veteran driver has raced for Team 18 in a Holden and, when they ceased operations in 2020, a Chevrolet.
But Winterbottom says he is open to a “fairytale” return. “I will co-drive for sure and will be on the grid for the two big ones. I will try and be in a team that I can win with, having a good crack at winning Bathurst,” he said.
“It is all about opportunity. For me, Bathurst was so hard to be lapped on lap speed. “I have not done anything yet, but there are options and we will weigh it up.
“Honestly, at the moment, the disconnect from this is like letting go of something you love so much. “There were so many great supporters who did something they never thought of jumping from Ford to Holden/Chevrolet just because they believed in me. “Sometimes fairytales get written and we will see what happens, but I am a very loyal person and we will see.
” Watch Gold Coast 500 live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport this weekend Amongst the hundreds of messages of support he has received on social media in the past 24 was one from Ford Australia. “Congratulations on a stellar full-time career Mark!” the company said. “We are proud to have shared many great moments together.
We wish you the best for what lies ahead.” Replying to Ford’s message, Winterbottom said: “Thank you very much, that means a lot, my best achievements were undoubtedly in a Ford, memories I will treasure forever.” The fan favourite and universally loved driver said “letting go” of the full-time profession has “been so emotional”.
“As a young boy all I wanted to do was race Supercars so to do it for 21 years has been great,” he said. “To achieve some of the things that we have has been great as well. “But this year will be the last year.
I wanted to get it out so I could enjoy the last two rounds and see all the great fans and sponsors who supported me throughout my career to say goodbye on my terms and the way I wanted it to be done. “I will enjoy these last two rounds, but there will be no tears because I want to try and get a good result. “I want to go out in style.
I would love to get a podium. I am still focused on understeer, oversteer and kerb compliance and full steam ahead on that. “I will then worry about all the retirement stuff after that.
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