Motorsport: F1 'boring' for V8 flag-flyer

Shane van Gisbergen is the leading Kiwi in the V8 Supercar series. Photo / Getty Images

It isn't hard to spot the van Gisbergen family home in Manukau. It's the one with the Ford flag flapping on top of the flagpole at the entrance to the house.

It's not there just because son Shane drives a Ford in the Australian V8 Supercar series but more because the van Gisbergens have always supported Ford in the time-honoured showdown with Holden.

The flag goes a long way to explaining why Shane has no interest in racing in Formula 1, despite such a drive being the most sought-after and lucrative in motorsport.

"Anyone who watched the Formula 1 race in Bahrain recently, there was one pass and that was on the first corner," van Gisbergen says. "The rest of the race was boring.

"In the V8s, there's always stuff going on everywhere, cars bumping and people passing. It's an awesome race to be in. I never had aspirations to be in Formula 1.

"Racing V8s is all I have ever wanted to do so to be in the car is a cool feeling. They are just wicked cars to drive ... and it's exciting to watch."

Van Gisbergen has established himself as New Zealand's brightest young driver in tin tops, or taxis as they are sometimes called. Still only 20, he is fourth in the championship standings after six races behind defending champion Jamie Whincup, Mark Winterbottom and James Courtney.

He's well ahead of fellow Kiwis Jason Richards (17th), Fabian Coulthard (20th) and Greg Murphy (29th) and there's nothing to suggest he won't remain at the head of the Kiwi pack for some time.

In his first full season in 2008, he finished 15th and last year he was 12th. This year's goal is much higher.

"We laid out a plan [when van Gisbergen started driving with us three years ago] and I think we are right on target," says team boss Ross Stone, who nurtured two-time V8 champion Marcos Ambrose through his Stone Brothers Racing Ford team.

"The target this year is to finish fifth in the championship and, if he can do that, we feel he will be a genuine contender next year.

"When you bring someone into the series, especially Shane who didn't have a lot of experience and no tin-top experience at all, it's really a minimum of three years.

"It's like an investment. You have to do the three years and it becomes clear if you've got a journeyman on your hands or a special talent.

"I think Shane has something special and we are only just starting to scratch away at what his true ability is. We are pretty confident about the future."

Stone was confident from the moment he saw van Gisbergen at Pukekohe on his way to winning the 2006 Formula First championship at his first attempt.

The following year he earned a drive with low-budget V8 outfit Team Kiwi Racing before his first full season with Stone Brothers in 2008.

He was a precocious talent Stone described as "youthful exuberance".

In 2008 van Gisbergen incurred 14 drive-through penalties, usually handed out for a lack of patience and "touching up" another car. Last year he had five penalties but so far this year hasn't received one.

"Now I have been doing it for three years so I have more experience and know what is required," van Gisbergen says.

"I have settled down a little more. The way I approach things is different but I'm still trying to achieve the same thing, win races. This year we have been as close as we ever have been and I'm fourth in the championship.

"Out of the top few guys, I haven't been around very long. The Tanders, Winterbottoms and Whincups, they are right at the top of their game and very fast. They are very good drivers and smart about how they do things. They know how to win championships. I still have a lot to learn."

This weekend is the F1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Next is the Hamilton 400, van Gisbergen's home race, in three weeks.

Holden and Ford flags will be flying that weekend. If he can win there, the one in Manukau will surely fly a little more proudly.