Lowndes and Whincup back Chaz
Both Red Bull Racing Australia stars Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup believe Ford young gun Chaz Mostert will be the one to watch next season.
When asking a handful of V8 Supercars stars questions about their season so far and what is to come next year, both Red Bull drivers - who have won nine Championships and Bathurst 1000s between them - tipped 22-year old Mostert to be the biggest mover in 2015.
"I think the most improved next year - although he's not doing too badly, he's won the Great Race this year - will be Chaz Mostert," Whincup told v8supercars.com.au.
"He's a young kid, still learning these cars. No doubt he'll make a big step up next year."
Whincup battled to the death with Mostert at this year's Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, relinquishing the lead as his Holden Commodore ran short of fuel on the final lap.
The intense end to the race is something Whincup was proud to be a part of, and while Mostert's teammate Mark Winterbottom pushed the #1 racer in the title fight next year, clearly the 2014 Champion sees the second FPR driver as a force to be reckoned with.
"No doubt Chaz will definitely now improve," Lowndes said.
"We had some great battles with Chaz ... he's had some good performances this year, the win at Barbagallo in WA and to start at the back of the field at Bathurst and work his way through the field, I think that's a huge achievement."
Both Whincup and Lowndes have given credit to FPR where it was due throughout the 2014 season, though ultimately Red Bull was able to topple the factory Ford outfit in the team's championship.
Mostert seemed surprised to receive the accolade from two of the category's top drivers - Lowndes is someone the young gun has always looked up to.
"That's nice!" Mostert said when told both had their eyes on him to be the most improved.
Mostert finished the Championship in seventh behind James Courtney, with a two wins and six podium finishes throughout the year.
His eyes are on two drivers to improve - one at a new home, and one who has recently found his feet after a switch for 2014.
"I think David Wall will go really well next year and Sladey [Tim Slade] too," Mostert told v8supercars.com.au.
"Those guys will probably improve dramatically this year.
"It's been a big move for Timmy to go to a different team [Walkinshaw Racing] and now towards the end of the year he's been doing quite well. David going to Polestar, he'll go pretty well there."
Stay tuned to v8supercars.com.au for more opinions on 2015's most improved, and drivers reviewing the 2014 season, as the 2015 Sydney.com V8 SuperTest edges closer.
