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Courtney's title fight advice for Waters

18 Jan 2023
Waters finished runner-up for second time last year
3 mins by James Pavey
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James Courtney expects a battle-hardened Cam Waters to be a more rounded force this year after his gritty 2022 campaign.

Last year, Waters cemented himself as one of the best drivers on the grid when he finished runner-up for the second time in three seasons.

The Tickford Racing driver proved Shane van Gisbergen’s closest rival as the 2022 season played out.

Van Gisbergen ultimately won the title in dominant fashion, but was pushed in close battles with Waters along the way.

None were closer than their Pukekohe battle, with a block from Waters seeing Triple Eight request the move be reviewed by officials.

Waters managed to beat van Gisbergen at Winton twice, but also ceded a swag of points in a number of incidents.

Notably, Waters was penalised over run-ins with Will Davison (Albert Park and Perth) and Todd Hazelwood (Adelaide).

SVG and Waters' incredible Pukekohe duel

He also lost more points after mistakes chasing Chaz Mostert at Sandown and Surfers Paradise, and was also penalised over a clash with Tim Slade in Tasmania.

In all, Waters lost an estimated 220 points, with van Gisbergen champion by 615 points.

Waters’ Tickford teammate Courtney won his 2010 title off the back of a clean campaign despite winning four races to Jamie Whincup’s nine.

Courtney made few errors and ultimately won the title, and at times forced Whincup and Triple Eight into mistakes.

Should Waters put together a more complete campaign versus 2022, Courtney has no doubt his teammate can score a championship.

“Cam has definitely got the talent,” Courtney told Supercars.com.

“You find along the way that being able to control emotions at times will help.

“He realised that there were moments that cost him points here and there throughout the season.

“Had those situations been different, he would’ve put more pressure on Shane, who then could’ve made mistakes.

“Then, the gap would’ve been much smaller. Cam knows that now.

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"He’s had that year of having close battles and good results.

“We all evolve and grow. He’ll definitely be better this season.”

Waters was the best driver over one lap in 2022, claiming a season-high 10 ARMOR ALL Pole Positions.

He converted to just three wins — two at Winton, another in Darwin — but was a constant at the pointy end.

Waters' fighting spirit was celebrated by his peers, who voted the 28-year-old the 2022 Drivers' Driver.

Still, the pressure showed at times, even as late into the season in Adelaide when Waters scraped the Turn 11 wall while effectively leading.

Waters' heavy whack after wild ride

Waters’ race engineer Sam Potter sees how hard his driver pushes than anyone else, and explained how mid-race coaching helped his driver bring home P2 last year.

“He’s very entertaining to have on the radio,” Potter told Supercars’ Cool Down Lap podcast.

“He’s full of smart comments throughout the race!

“Watching the telemetry trace, you can see he’s pushing every lap, fighting the limit every lap.

“Had a little chat to him [during the race], just making sure he’s on, and gets to the end of the race.

“We had to get points to make sure we finished second in the championship."

Waters and Courtney form one half of Tickford's 2023 line-up alongside Thomas Randle and newcomer Declan Fraser.

All four drivers are currently at a pre-season training camp in Noosa.

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will commence in Newcastle on March 10-12.

Tickets are on sale on Supercars.com and Ticketek.com.

Waters slams Hazelwood into the fence, Brown follows

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