Ford ace Mark Winterbottom has forecast this season’s V8 Supercar championship will be the closest yet.
Under the ‘Car of the Future’ program, all V8 teams will be driving into the unknown with none of the re-engineered machines likely to be near full potential at the first race.
The first official Supercar test period gets underway on February 16 when teams will get an idea of the competitiveness of their cars.
The trial will also give a first glimpse of the speed of the new entries by Nissan and Mercedes which will join the Fords and Holdens on the grid.
Winterbottom, whose Pepsi Max Ford Performance Racing outfit was launched on Thursday, said he expected closer and more hectic racing due to the advanced technical upgrades.
“They’re definitely different to drive,” Winterbottom said.
“The braking is a lot better which was an area our old cars struggled with a little bit.
“The independent rear suspension allows the car to turn a lot sharper so I think passing will be a lot easier than it was in the previous cars.”
Winterbottom said there would be intense pressure on team engineers to wring as much potential from the cars as quickly as possible.
“The team who gets it right is obviously going to start well but I see it as being the closest championship we’ve ever seen.”
Winterbottom expects his Ford will be up to 80 per cent of its capacity at the season-opening Clipsal 500 in Adelaide but reigning V8 champion Jamie Whincup says he does not expect more than 60 per cent from his Holden.
Winterbottom also said it was crucial for the series that Nissan and Mercedes are competitive.
“They need to go well from a sport point of view. You want them competing for race wins – not being 20th downwards.”
Winterbottom said the shakedown test would provide a sneak look at the season but he was still slightly nervous about potential niggles.
“There are still concerns about a brand new car,” he said.
“Even though we’ve ticked everything off and I know that the guys have done everything right, there are still slight concerns because it’s unproven.”