Winterbottom unsure of future
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 27 August 2024
Mark Winterbottom has reacted to the news of losing his seat at Team 18 and admits he “does not really know what the future holds.”
As revealed by AUTO ACTION, Anton De Pasquale has come from left field to jump from Dick Johnson Racing to Team 18.
With David Reynolds locked in the #20, De Pasquale is replacing the out-of-contract Winterbottom in the #18.
The mashup means there is a big chance that the 2015 champion finds himself off the full-time Supercars grid for the first time in over two decades since 2003.
After racing at Tickford/Prodrive/FPR for 13 seasons, Winterbottom has been a key part of Charlie Schwerkolt’s operation since 2019.
He made big breakthroughs taking the team’s first pole in their third round together at Tasmania in 2019 and maiden race win at Hidden Valley in 2023.
But at 43, Winterbottom finds himself leaving a team for just the third time in his long and storied career.
Recently it has been suggested “Frosty” could transition into a management role within Team 18, while he would be a highly sought after co-driving option.
Winterbottom reacted to the news on social media and admitted he is unsure what is next.
To my supporters, the last 24hrs has been a whirlwind, as I was told that Team 18 signed a different driver for 2025,” Winterbottom wrote on social media.
“I don’t really know what the future holds, I’m still digesting the news, but I know I can hold my head high as a professional sportsman.
“I have given 110% and loved working with the team crew and all the sponsors, you are great people.
“I truly value the support from my family, friends, sponsors and supporters, at a time when I need it most.”
More on The Auto Action RevLimiter Podcast, where we discuss all the latest driver moves.
How we see the 2025 grid shaping up… There are probably some changes to come.
| 2 |
Ryan Wood |
Walkinshaw Andretti United |
| 3 |
Aaron Love |
Blanchard Racing Team |
| 4 |
Cameron Hill |
Matt Stone Racing |
| 6 |
Cameron Waters |
Tickford Racing |
| 7 |
James Courtney |
Blanchard Racing Team |
| 8 |
Andre Heimgartner |
Brad Jones Racing |
| 9 |
Jack Le Brocq |
Erebus Motorsport |
| 10 |
Nick Percat |
Matt Stone Racing |
| 11 |
Brodie Kostecki* |
Dick Johnson Racing |
| 12 |
Jaxon Evans |
Brad Jones Racing |
| 14 |
Bryce Fullwood |
Brad Jones Racing |
| 17 |
Will Davison |
Dick Johnson Racing |
| 18 |
Anton De Pasquale* |
Team 18 |
| 19 |
Matthew Payne |
Grove Racing |
| 20 |
David Reynolds |
Team 18 |
| 23 |
Tim Slade^ |
PremiAir Racing |
| 25 |
Chaz Mostert |
Walkinshaw Andretti United |
| 26 |
Kai Allen |
Grove Racing |
| 31 |
James Golding* |
PremiAir Racing |
| 55 |
Thomas Randle |
Tickford Racing |
| 87 |
Will Brown |
Triple Eight Race Engineering |
| 88 |
Broc Feeney |
Triple Eight Race Engineering |
| 96 |
Macauley Jones* |
Brad Jones Racing |
| 99 |
Cooper Murray* |
Erebus Motorsport |
* Confirmation Pending
^ Unlikely to remain
READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION DIGITAL HERE
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