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Frosty on 2013 Lowndes clash: I'd do it again

12 Nov 2014
Winterbottom has no regrets about last year's incident and will push at the Island, "For me now it's time to have a big crack and finish off strong."
4 mins by James Pavey
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Mark Winterbottom has no regrets about a controversial move on Craig Lowndes at Phillip Island last year, and says if he finds himself in the same position this time, he will do it again.

Winterbottom and Lowndes have been key contenders in the past few title fights, and a bump from 'Frosty' that went unpenalised last year ruffled plenty of feathers at Red Bull Racing Australia, the team protesting the stewards' dismissal.

As both fight Red Bull superstar Jamie Whincup - who has a whopping 402-point margin over Winterbottom this time around - the FPR starsaid he would have no qualms about making a similar move, as he battles the odds to strip Whincup of the 2014 title.

"If I was in exactly the same scenario I'd do exactly the same thing," Winterbottom told v8supercars.com.au. "So I'm definitely not put off by it or anything.

"For me now it's time to have a big crack and finish off strong ... you're never intimidated by him [Lowndes] or what's been said, you just go out and have a crack.

"Same position, whoever it is I'll be doing the same thing, so whatever happens, happens."

While both Winterbottom and Lowndes had stellar starts to the season, over recent events both have faltered with mechanical issues and errors.

Another clash at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 - which Lowndes was penalised for - highlighted their rivalry again, but the Pepsi Max driversays his eyes aren't on Lowndes, just his teammate.

"People think you go and target someone, which is stupid, because at the moment he's not the bloke you should be focused on, because there's other guys a lot quicker than him...It's just, whenever you get caught up with him - he's the most popular guy and it creates controversy."

But Winterbottom believes that fire is what fuels the sport, and is never one to be to upset at what the media is reporting.

"You want people having a go and a bit of controversy - we're racing big machines ... it's about you, your team and your supporters.

"So you do whatever you have to do to win and whatever comes of that happens. You're a good sport about it, but if you have to push the limits to get past someone, you're going to push the limits."

Winterbottom knows that is exactly what he needs to do from here.

While he wasn't too critical of Saturday's Gold Coast performance (despite his overturned podium finish), Sunday was not acceptable for him, finishing 14th with Steve Owen as he battled home with his Ford Falcon FG, which suffered from a broken part in the front end.

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He believes FPR is no longer strong at street circuits - so armed with knowledge of a positive Phillip Island performance last year, the team is focused on improving for the final event, the Sydney NRMA 500.

"It's really important to finish off strong," Winterbottom emphasised.

"It's been a massive disappointment to have the year that we had, and then to have the struggles that we've had.

"You can cop finishing second, third, fourth, fifth or whatever if you're competitive - but it's hard to swallow when you have been competitive and then it goes. That's the thing that's really hard."

He hasn't yet given up hope of taking that Championship win - with 600 points still on offer, it's not mathematically impossible, especially if Whincup is struck with bad fortune at the Fitness Plus Phillip Island 400.

"We need to finish off strong and ideally Whincup has a shocker and you win them all and get him by one point or something - that's the perfect scenario.

"But if you're not first, for me, second would still be better than third but at the same time, if you don't win everything else is irrelevant...

"We need confidence and direction, and really need to finish off strong."

Winterbottom laughed wryly at the factWhincup benefitted last year when he and Lowndes clashed at the Island, while both were trying to capitalise on running ahead of the #1.

"Those two are pretty close, but it's funny - even when they crash into each other, Jamie still seems to come quite well out of it, Lowndes is the one who smiles but cops it on the chin. That's the way it goes sometimes."

And while Frosty said it was the media that emphasised particular rivalries, he admitted some drivers don't seem to mind a bit of payback.

"It's funny how media perception and driver perception are two different things - but at the same time, they're all elephants, they never forget.

"Every driver has got the memory of an elephant and there's always a square up somewhere. It might be three years down the track, but they'll politely remind you about three years ago."

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