Ford Australia president Tom Gorman has suggested Marcos Ambrose's V8 Supercar seat next year may be filled by a youngster rather than an established star.
Several high profile drivers have been linked with a move to replace two-time series champion Ambrose at Stone Brothers Racing (SBR) when he quits at
the end of the season to try to break into American Nascar racing.
Holden's Todd Kelly and Steven Richards have been among the names floated for the role, while there has also been talk of one of Ford's presently contracted drivers moving to SBR.
But Gorman said SBR bosses Ross and Jimmy Stone and Ford, who want to ensure their best-performed team in recent years stay at the pointy end of the grid, could consider taking a chance on a young driver to team with the established Russell Ingall.
SBR took what was considered a risk in signing an unheralded in 2001, a move which proved a masterstroke.
"There are clearly two paths to go. One is to bring the veteran driver -- and a lot of guys would love to be in the SBR team and to take Marcos' spot," Gorman said.
"I think we're really weighing between taking the established driver today, or do you go out and make a move to give somebody a chance?
"I don't think we have an answer yet, but that's where we are right now."
While SBR will ultimately decide who will replace Ambrose, Gorman admitted Ford would have a large input.
"It has to be a driver who's good for our brand," Gorman said.
"If there's ever a problem in that, if we think there's something that we're really uncomfortable with, we'll share that with Ross and Jimmy.
"But they've been very good in working with us and I don't see there'll be any problem at all."
If SBR do look to youth, one driver likely to come into serious consideration is Mark Winterbottom, 24,who drives for fellow Ford team Orrcon Racing.
Winterbottom is not even in the top 20 in this year's championship standings but is considered one of the sport's most prodigious talents and is highly rated by Ford Racing officials.
- AAP
