Winterbottom coy on future amid silly season

Mark Winterbottom hasn't given much away over his silly season position, but has indicated his desire to race on with Team 18.

The 2015 Supercars champion is one of a number of out-of-contract drivers amid a rapidly-moving silly season, and is set to mark his 600th consecutive race start in Tasmania this weekend.

As it stands, Winterbottom’s seat at Team 18 is one of five tipped to be in play, along with both Dick Johnson Racing drivers, Brodie Kostecki (Erebus Motorsport) and Tim Slade (PremiAir Nulon Racing).

Winterbottom has added significant value to Team 18 since joining in 2019, and already has two podiums this season. Last year, he claimed the team’s first Supercars victory in Darwin.

“There's always chats, but nothing's ever done until it's done, is it? We'll see how we end up and what happens,” Winterbottom told media in Tasmania.

“But that always happens every year, even when you've got a contract, we see that in the sport a lot.”

When asked about a timeline over his future, Winterbottom added: “Hopefully by January 1 we'll have an idea.

“But we'll go through it. You always go through it and when there's something to say, you'll say it, and when there's nothing to say, you say nothing. We're just at that point at the moment.”

Winterbottom was fifth in Friday practice, behind pace-setter David Reynolds. While only practice, it was a strong start for Team 18, with Winterbottom and Reynolds 14th and 15th overall after seven rounds.

The 2013 Bathurst winner reiterated he enjoys working with Team 18 owner Charlie Schwerkolt, and would “hate to leave” the team should it begin to hit its strides.

“I'm still driving well,” Winterbottom said.

“Dave [Reynolds] and I are so close and you forget very quickly that the guy I'm benchmarking against dominated the back end of last year [with Grove Racing].

“We're going to have our rough days but on our good days, we're good enough to win, so there's light at the end of the tunnel… it's definitely headed in the right direction.

“I hate starting things and not finishing. Two podiums this year, it's been better than last year, even though the [championship] position is not. But we're making progress.

“I love racing for Charlie, he's a great guy who deserves success. I'd hate to leave and the team kicks its goals and kicks on because they are going to get there.”