Albert Park's Most Successful V8 Driver Returns for Last Blast

13 Mar 2013

Russell Ingall, the most successful V8 Supercar driver at Albert Park, returns for one last blast around the lake...

2 mins by James Pavey

2013

The most successful V8 Supercar driver at Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit, Supercheap Auto Racing’s Russell Ingall returns for one last blast around the lake.

Ingall has won eight races at the circuit, including a staggering seven in a row from 1997-98.

The V8 Champion says the circuit suits his driving style.

“It’s a fast, flowing track and when I raced overseas in the early stages of my career, I always enjoyed faster, flowing circuits,” Ingall said.

This weekend, Ingall suits up for four half-hour races, supporting the Rolex Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix and displaying the Supercheap Auto Racing Holden VF Commodore to a massive international audience.

“It’s one of the most prestigious races on the calendar and there’s always a large audience, but the V8s are not just a support category,” Ingall said.

“A lot of spectators attend the race specifically to see the V8s, so we need to put on a good show and have the Supercheap Auto Racing Commodore running up the front.”

After two impressive races at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500 a fortnight ago, Ingall is fourth in V8SC points and says it is important to carry the momentum to Albert Park.

“Clipsal was a good start to the year, and we need to keep achieving those results if we’re to be a force in this championship,” Ingall said.

Early in his career, Ingall competed against and beat many drivers who forged successful Formula 1 careers, including 13-time Grand Prix winner David Coulthard.

In the mid-1990s, Ingall’s own F1 aspirations ended due to lack of budget and he returned to Australia, but he still keeps a close eye on the pinnacle of international motorsport and offered his predictions for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

“If I had to tip the podium, it would be Jenson Button on top, and I think Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel will be on the podium because they have all the same ingredients from last year with Ferrari and Red Bull,” Ingall said.

“Obviously there will be a lot of support for Mark Webber at his home race, and he’ll be looking to make a statement so his team mate Vettel doesn’t get on top too early in the season.”