Jamie Whincup Says Experience Counts For Nothing In Title Fight

It's On To Newcastle...


Article heading image for Jamie Whincup Says Experience Counts For Nothing In Title Fight

He's won six of them and he's leading the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship by 30 points.

But Jamie Whincup insists it's not an advantage as tries to see off Scott McLaughlin at this month's finale in Newcastle.

If race wins are anything to go by, the Red Bull Holden Racing Team ace shouldn't be here.

He's won just 3 races compared to McLaughlin's 7.

But consistency and a little luck has put Whincup ahead in the race for a record 7th Championship.

Having fought for the seven times in the past eleven seasons, he's hosing down talk it'll play to his advantage in Newy.

“I think if it was Scotty’s first or second year [in the category], potentially [my experience would be an advantage], but no. We’ve both been around a fair while now,” said Whincup.

“I’m as hungry as I’ve ever been. It’ll mean the world to me, so we’ll make sure we go there well prepared and do the best job we can."

A new circuit and a new race on the schedule looms could prove to be the biggest unknown in who is crowned 2017 Champion.

“We’ll prepare as well as we can. We’ll go there with all eyes open on a brand-new street circuit and hopefully both cars are reliable and quick and we can scrap it out.”

Mathematically, Fabian Coulthard, Chaz Mostert and Shane van Gisbergen could still win it all if disaster struck McLaughlin or Whincup.

McLaughlin is under no illusions about where he'll need to finish in the Coates Hire Newcastle 500.

"[Whincup] knows what to do, but I’ve been in battles, like last year trying to get to third in the championship where I just had to beat one guy and a few other things,” said the Shell V-Power Racing steerer.

“So I have a bit of an idea of what to do. At the end of the day I’ve just got to beat them. We’ll go there and be the chaser and enjoy it.”

Enjoy it he will.

The Kiwi is relishing the chance to get to grips on some brand new bitumen.

“Rolling up to a new circuit, it’s quite cool,” he said.

“It’s a fresh slate and whoever does the best job with the set-up and the driver that gets the most out of the car at the most important times is going to prevail."

“You couldn’t ask for a better script for our final race.”

 

Sean Maynard

8 November 2017

Article by:

Sean Maynard




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