Mostert clears the air
While flattered by the amount of interest being shown in his future and his contract extension, rising Ford star Chaz Mostert has reiterated his commitment to Prodrive Racing Australia which now runs until at least the end of the 2017 season.
Mostert's future has been the subject of speculation for months with rumours of various approaches to both Chaz and father and manager Eddie from rival teams.
While Prodrive Racing Australia announced last month it had taken up its option for the 23-year old's services for 2016-17, rumours and speculation continued to swirl around a possible switch.
Mostert, who was one of five drivers confirmed to attend an exhibition race in Malaysia in August as a precursor to a championship round in Kuala Lumpur from 2016, has been in red-hot form in only his second full-time V8 Supercars season in his Pepsi Max Ford Falcon FG X, already claiming five pole positions, one win, three seconds and a third.
Interest in his future services are said to have come from some of the biggest players along pitlane.
"I guess it's a pretty good feeling," Mostert said of the attention. "I try not to think about it too much, just focus in on the racing.
"It's a nice feeling when you do break into V8 Supercars and the hard road it is out of the development series and the support categories and trying to make it there without much money.
"It is nice to know that you have got into the series and there is a bit of interest around to keep you in the series for some years to come."
Mostert was again grilled by News Limited journalist James Phelps about his future on Inside Supercars on Tuesday night.
Mostert told v8supercars.com.au on Wednesday that he probably didn't do a great job of dealing with the questions during the interview.
"I think I confused the matter a little bit when getting quizzed on it because I am so focussed on this year and I hate trying to work out the future," Mostert admitted. "I always look at short goals."
"I think I confused things by focussing on this year and not so much on the future."
One thing that has since been clarified by PRA is that Mostert has not 're-signed' with the team, because his option has been taken up rather than a new contract put in place.
"For me it is fantastic that Prodrive has taken up my option," Mostert said. "I have been here two years now and I have a fantastic team behind me, engineers and mechanics.
"Everyone at the team is awesome ... and it kind of feels like home to me. I am really enjoying working with Mark Winterbottom. It's cool to have such an experienced teammate but such a fast one as well and I am learning a lot."
Mostert runs only eighth in the drivers' Championship because of points-robbing Sunday crashes in Adelaide and at Winton - the latter when leading the race.
He said he had mulled over the Winton incident for a couple of days but was now determined to look to the future and put on a good show at the SKYCITY Triple Crown Darwin SuperSprint at Hidden Valley on June 19-21.
"I have put it behind me and I am moving forward. The real test will be when we get to Darwin and roll out there.
"We had a ride day at Winton and I was very cautious at that part of the track, but we just have to wait and see. I think it is behind me, I spent a couple of days pondering on it after the event but I think the longer you ponder on it the more it can affect you and the longer it takes to get over it and get those points back.
"I just have to focus on what I am doing, focus on the qualifying car at the start of the weekend and then focus on getting that race car all set up.
"It was mistake that cost a lot of points in the championship and possible even the win in the Sunday race at Winton but I have a great team behind me, which is comforting and good to know and I just can't wait to get to Darwin and keep this qualifying speed up and try and redeem myself."
The SKYCITY Triple Crown runs from June 19-21, with tickets available by clicking here.
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