The bad blood boils as Mark Winterbottom rages about feud with Craig Lowndes
A SECRET feud between two of the biggest stars in V8 Supercars is raging with Mark Winterbottom revealing his Bathurst collision with Craig Lowndes was a continuation of a 12-month war.
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A SECRET feud between two of the biggest stars in V8 Supercars is raging with Mark Winterbottom revealing his Bathurst collision with Craig Lowndes was a continuation of a 12-month war.
With the brutal endurance season set to conclude on the streets of Surfers Paradise this weekend, the Ford driver said he and Holden legend Lowndes had been locked in a bitter on track rivalry for over a year.
Tempers between the heavyweights exploded at the Bathurst 1000 when Red Bull pilot Lowndes speared across the track and took Winterbottom out as the Ford Performance Racing driver charged towards his second consecutive Mount Panorama crown.
Before predicting further fireworks at the Gold Coast 600, beginning Friday, Winterbottom said a crash last year sparked a rivalry with Lowndes that is ever bit as venomous as his famous feud with Jamie Whincup.
‘We had a big run in last year’
“We had a big run in last year,’’ Winterbottom said.
“I think it got looked over a little bit but we have had plenty of run ins and I am sure we will have them again. That team in general (Red Bull Racing Australia), well you have issues with them most of the time. Whether it is his car or the other car (Whincup’s car) we tend
to find some controversy.’’
Still scared by the collision that shattered his Bathurst dream and possibly his championship, Winterbottom claimed a lethal driver lurked behind the trademark smile that has helped make Lowndes the sport’s most popular and well liked man.
“He is one of the most aggressive drivers I have come up against”
“He is one of the most aggressive drivers I have come up against,’’ Winterbottom said.
“He has a good nature off the track so it gets overlooked a bit. He gets a way with a bit because of his smile. But he is aggressive and races hard, probably harder than anyone. He looks so happy and everyone loves him so he doesn’t get blame for a lot.’’
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Before predicting the on track war would continue, Winterbottom suggested he may not have accepted the apology Lowndes gave him following his Bathurst heartbreak.
Lowndes claimed the crash was a complete accident caused by glare from the sun.
“His excuse was interesting,’’ Winterbottom said.
“I mean he raced at the 12 hour, he does every year, and he had no issues with visibility or the sun then. But that is what he said and I have to take him at his word. Still, I am sure we will run into each other again. It creates controversy and I reckon there is still plenty
to come.’’
Winterbottom said the Bathurst crash was bittersweet as it helped his teammate Chaz Mostert storm to a remarkable last to first Bathurst title as he team scored another Mount Panorama win over enemy team Red Bull.
“The good part is he was taken out too and my team won the race”
“The good part is he was taken out too and my team won the race,’’ Winterbottom said.
“I contributed to the win in a strange way. He took me out but the crash also took him out and he was a potential winner so it was good in a way. But yeah, I wasn’t happy. I could have won it, but I didn’t and at the end of the day that is Bathurst.’’
The Gold Coast 600 will be the last endurance race of the V8 season with the co-drivers to vanish following this weekend’s round before the full-time drivers head to Phillip Island for the championship’s penultimate race.
Originally published as The bad blood boils as Mark Winterbottom rages about feud with Craig Lowndes
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