Staying Blue: Mark Winterbottom has extended his contract with Ford Performance Racing through to the end of 2014.
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6:00 AM Tue 31 January, 2012
Source: BigPond Sport
MARK Winterbottom has re-signed with Ford Performance Racing, extending his deal with the team through to the end of the 2014 V8 Supercars Championship season.
The 2008 championship runner-up is moving into his seventh season with the Prodrive-owned team this year and will rack up nine straight by the time his new contract finishes.
With teammate Will Davison already signed up through to the end of 2013 at least, the announcement means FPR have stability at a crucial time with the introduction of the new Car of the Future next year.
“It is really good to extend my stay as everyone strives to drive for the factory team so I am proud to have been associated with the factory Ford team for so long,” Winterbottom said.
“Things change rapidly in motorsport and there will be no bigger change than the introduction of Car of the Future next year so to stay with the people I know through such a big change is definitely a good thing.
“I’ve worked with a lot of great people over the last six seasons I’ve raced for the team but the group here now is the best yet and the way we are all starting to fire together is very encouraging and gives us all confidence to fight for the championship.
“Although a title still eludes us we of course keep working towards it and to win one after so many years of trying would be special and a greater achievement than if I moved elsewhere and won.
“I’m a very loyal person and over the next three years I would like nothing more than to payback the team for how hard we’ve all worked with a championship, or three.”
Winterbottom has finished in the top five in the championship each year since he joined FPR in 2006.
His best result remains runner-up in 2008 to Jamie Whincup and last year he finished third overall behind Whincup and Craig Lowndes.
For more on Mark Winterbottom: www.markwinterbottom.com
Follow Mark Winterbottom on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mwinterbottom
For more on FPR: www.fpr.com.au
