'I don’t care': Winterbottom bats away Ford hoodoo talk
Ford winless at Mount Panorama since 2019 Bathurst 1000
Holden/Chevrolet have been undefeated since 2020 Bathurst 1000
Streak includes 2021, 2024 season-opening sprint races
Make no mistake, star Tickford Racing recruit Mark Winterbottom isn’t losing any sleep over Ford’s winless streak at the Mountain.
While guarded over its chances, Ford heads to Bathurst in a strong position to record its first win since 2019, which was the Blue Oval’s only victory in its last 10 attempts.
Winterbottom combined with Steven Richards to win in 2013, before Chaz Mostert/Paul Morris pulled off a last-to-first miracle to help Tickford Racing (then Ford Performance Racing) go back-to-back.
Since, Holden reeled off four straight wins between 2015 and 2018, with General Motors undefeated since 2020 (Holden 2020-22, Chevrolet 2023-24).
A commanding podium sweep at the AirTouch 500 at The Bend, its first in an enduro since 2017, has offered great hope for Ford, which is arguably in its best position since 2019 to win the Great Race.
Waters started from pole in 2020 and 2022, and finished on the podium each year between 2020 and 2022. Anton De Pasquale/Tony D’Alberto were the last Ford drivers to stand on the Bathurst 1000 podium for Dick Johnson Racing in 2023.
Asked on Seven’s coverage about the hoodoo before Saturday’s AFL Grand Final, Winterbottom — who needed 11 attempts to win the race himself — cared only about getting the job done on October 12.
"Well, there's always pressure isn't there?” said Winterbottom, who finished second alongside Waters at The Bend earlier this month.
“Every year you go there, you're hopeful. But Bathurst is so tough. You think it's your day and one stint to go, it tells you it's not your day. It's such a hard race to win.
"I don't care about stats. I care about the 2025 stat, and if it's one Ford that wins this one, that'd be great.
“Hopefully we're in for a good shot. Ford's represented really well up there and if it's our day, then hopefully we can get the job done.”
There are currently seven Fords in the top 10 in the drivers’ championship, led by Matt Payne, Cam Waters, Chaz Mostert and Brodie Kostecki. Kostecki led Waters home at The Bend, with Payne rounding out the podium.
Mostert, meanwhile, had one of the fastest cars in The Bend race, but finished eighth after taking a gamble on strategy.
Track action at Mount Panorama commences on Thursday October 9.
