Motorsport: Ford punching above its weight

Ford Performance Racing's Mark Winterbottom. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Leading into the V8 Supercar season, it was predicted Ford would face a year of woe against their Holden rivals.

Double the number of Holdens were on the V8 grid than Fords, including those of TeamVodafone following their manufacturer switch, and yet the three drivers currently trailing championship leader Jamie Whincup all pilot Falcons.

While Whincup and another Holden driver, Garth Tander, have won all six of this year's championship races, Ford trio Mark Winterbottom, James Courtney and Shane van Gisbergen sit second, third and fourth on the standings going into this weekend's Hamilton 400.

Winterbottom, who drives for Ford's flagship Ford Performance Racing team, said the results so far were encouraging for his brand.

"I knew that with Campbell (Little, engineer) on board I was going to have a good year, or at least a good start and hopefully continue it," Winterbottom said.

"James finished last year off pretty strong and Shane has been a bit of a surprise, he's always been quick but he's matured a lot this year.

"It's pretty good to see the Fords battling the way they are. It's Jamie at the front and three Fords behind him, we've got good numbers in it to hopefully get one of them up and hoping it's us obviously.

"It's a long season, a long way to go but it's nice, only having nine Fords, for three of them to be in the top four - that's a strong sign for Ford."

Winterbottom's standing has been built on consistency, he's scored three second-placings and two third-place finishes this year to have him on 714 points, just 57 behind two-time champion Whincup.

And the 28-year-old feels there is no reason why he can't overhaul Whincup.

"He's had a very good run but you've just got to remember he gets up in the morning exactly the same as I do," Winterbottom said.

"I've got confidence that I can beat him, it's just about staying with him and when my time comes, I'll push for the win. Hopefully not too far away.

"The guys that were good at Adelaide will be good at Hamilton and we were one of them."

Courtney, who ended Holden's run of wins in 2010 with victory in the opening race of the non-championship weekend at the Australian grand prix last month, is also aiming for glory in Hamilton.

Street circuits are seemingly the Jim Beam Racing driver's strength, having won on the roads of both Townsville and Sydney last year.

"Jamie is still the favourite, but my trackwork and form is pretty good on street circuits like Hamilton," Courtney said.

"I've been on the podium at Hamilton the last two years we've been there.

"My car is quick, and so long as I can keep it off the walls next week I expect to be competitive."

- AAP