Articles by James Phelps

Daniel Ricciardo has been stripped of becoming the first Australian to score a podium at the Australian Grand Prix with FIA stewards disqualifying him from the race in a midnight bombshell.In an ugly aftermath to the best performance by an Australian at either Melbourne or former GP venue Adelaide, the nation’s new sensation was a shattered man after learning his heroic and historic drive would be stricken from the record books.FIA officials fronted the media soon before midnight and told them the new Red Bull Racing driver had been disqualified from the season-opening race for a fuel flow breach that saw the Australian exceed regulations.Ricciardo, himself, was blameless in the debacle, race officials said. Red Bull Racing also maintain they’re not at fault. Team director Christian Horner says the team will appeal the disqualification, at a date yet to be known. “It is no fault of Daniel. I don’t believe it is the fault of the team,’’ Horner said.“I believe we have been compliant to the rules. I am extremely disappointed, quite surprised ... hopefully through the appeal process it will be quite clear that the car has conformed at all times to the regulations. We would not be appealing unless we were extremely confident that we have a defendable case.’’The bombshell was dropped after Ricciardo became the Melbourne Messiah when he defied history by holding off a fast-finishing Kevin Magnussen.The F1 paddock was sent into a frenzy about 8.30pm (EDT) when an FIA official reported the team had breached official fuel flow regulations.FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer said Ricciardo’s RB10 had “exceeded consistently the maximum allowed fuel flow of 100kg/h”.“As this is not in compliance with Article 5.1.4 of the 2014 Formula One Technical Regulations, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”Cars are not allowed to consumed more than 100kg’s of fuel an hour under new rules introduced this year with the introduction of the 1.6 litre V6 turbo engine.Ricciardo left the track about 11pm (EDT) before knowing his fate and said he was proud of his effort regardless of the ruling after only Nico Rosberg and his red-hot Mercedes stopped Ricciardo from winning.Regardless of the disqualification, Ricciardo’s performance has assured his future in the sport. The home crowd went wild as Ricciardo, 24, took his runner’s up trophy following a stunning start the 2014 season, the roar reducing the winner’s reception to a mere cheer.Ricciardo is now our man, and he proved why he was given a seat next to world champion Sebastian Vettel in the all-conquering Red Bull Racing team. “Wow…’’ Ricciardo said.“To be the first Aussie on the Aussie podium. I am just speechless. I’m tripping balls. This has been a remarkable turn around by the team from a few weeks ago and I am lost for words.’’Ricciardo was swamped on the line but blasted past Mercedes big gun and race favourite with a turn one lunge to steal second place.In a difficult race with several struggling to survive with the new machinery, Riccardo hopelessly chased the flawless Rosberg, who proved uncatchable in his superior machinery after teammate Hamilton and Vettel bombed out.Ricciardo was forced to show all his fight, determination and skill in the closing stages of the race as McLaren rookie Magnussen attacked.His effort was made even grander given his team was predicted to struggle following a horror testing season in the new V6 turbo.“If l look back to where we were three weeks ago it exceeds my expectations definitely,” he said. “We didn’t have confidence we would see a checkered flag let alone a podium. The support has been crazy and being the only Aussie on the grid and the result has been more than I could have been expected.’’Even winner Rosberg acknowledged Ricciardo’s stellar home race after beating him by almost 25 seconds. “Daniel got a little more support than us but that was expected,’’ Rosberg said.“We all worked hard over the winter and it is amazing to have such a good Silver Arrow. They have done a remarkable job. I had a great start and after that the car was just really quick today. We had a really good engine and no problem with fuel consumption. It all worked perfectly.’’There was drama even before the start light ushered in the new area of Formula One with a stalled Marrussia forcing an aborted start on the formation lap.With the flag set to drop on the Australian Grand Prix, Jules Bianchi forced a yellow to drop as he sat helpless on the grid.The Brit joined his teammate Jules Bianchi in the pitlane after the French man earlier fell victim to the same problem.Lotus driver Romain Grosjean further reduced the grid after being slapped with a pit-lane penalty for a pre-race blue.Rosberg blasted his way to the front when the flag finally dropped with a lightening start rocketing him past Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton.Ricciardo recovered from a sluggish start to steal second place from Hamilton. The carnage began behind instantly with Kamui Kobayashi locking up and taking out new Williams driver and Ferrari reject Felipe Massa.The drama continued when race favourite Hamilton was ordered to retire when his Mercedes dropped a cylinder. “As soon as I left the line I had a lot less power. I didn’t understand it and people came past. They asked me to come in and I think it was one of the cylinders that was not firing.’’Another bombshell was unleashed when reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel became another high-profile causality of the all-new machinery.Vettel’s race was over on lap five. “Second formation lap we lost power," Vettel said. “We don’t know why yet. It is going to be a long season. All of us expected cars to beach but unfortunately it was us." 

The report comes as Holden contemplates building V6 Commodores in China after delivering a car industry bombshell on Wednesday by confirming Australian manufacturing would end in 2017 following a directive from GM Holden's American headquarters and a failed gamble with the Federal Government.News Corp Australia can reveal the death sentence to the Australian-made legend has resulted in V8 Supercars secretly plotting a name change and category shake-up with the "V8'' Holden facing extinction.The sport will move away from the long-serving V8 power plant amid the biggest shake-up in Australian car manufacturing history and avoid becoming another NASCAR, which use uniform bodyshells that are nothing like a road car.GM Holden is understood to be considering several options, including building a new platform Commodore in China, but The Daily Telegraph understands there will not be a V8 Holden on the showroom floor for the first time since the Kingswood was born in 1968.The Australian icon may also decide to follow Ford in an American muscle showdown and axe the Commodore for a Camaro to war with the Mustang, which will be a Falcon substitute for rev heads.News Corp Australia last week revealed international racing giant Roger Penske had sent his first lieutenant to Australia with global Ford heavyweight Jamie Allison in a move that could see the Mustang and V8 Supercars spearhead a Ford led industry shake-up.While Holden refused to reveal their master plan after a failed bid to snare public cash, News Corp Australia can confirm Holden have indicated they will remain in V8 Supercars beyond 2017 sport likely to become the brand's most important marketing platform.Whether it is a foreign made V6 Commodore, a mid-sized substitute, or an American legend, the company will need the help of V8 Supercars to sell the non-Australian substitute to their legion of Aussie fans.V8 boss James Warburton, the former TV boss, was confident Holden would continue its famous Australian motor racing legacy, even though it will be a new look war against bitter enemy Ford. "It's business as usual," V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton said."We do know that while Holden may not make cars in Australia beyond 2017 they will continue to market and sell cars here, just as they have been for more than half a century. From a marketing and sales perspective there is no greater platform than V8 Supercars and the audiences we bring to any manufacturer, regardless of where the cars are built."That's why we introduced the new generation car this year with incredible success. It was a visionary step which allows our sport to adapt to changing market conditions. Our sport has never been in better shape after another record year."With Nissan already entering the V8 Supercar series with a V6 road car, the sports move away from the V8 engine would allow further manufacturer to join the series and see a major shake-up in the sports rule.The offshore shift will leave up to 3000 Holden workers without a job by 2017 with the announcing causing uproar when Victorian Premier Denis Napthine made the announcement in State Parliament.Acting Prime Minister Warren Truss said Holden boss Mr Deveraux told him around 1.50pm the decision had been "made in Detroit" that the company would be "closing a significant part of their operation" in Australia and New Zealand by the end of 2017."We regret the fact that GM is to phase down its operations in this country," Mr Truss told Parliament. "Holden has been an iconic national brand for Australians, a part of our heritage. It has meant a great deal to Australians over several generations. Many of us have had the pleasure of travelling and owning Australian-built Holdens and it is a pity that will not continue into the future."Holden issued a statement reads that give little of their future plans away. "Holden will continue to have a significant presence in Australia beyond 2017, comprising a national sales company, a national parts distribution centre and a global design studio,'' Devereux said. "This has been a difficult decision given Holden's long and proud history of building vehicles in Australia," Mr Devereux said."We are dedicated to working with our teams, unions and the local communities, along with the federal and state governments, to support our people."Devereux has been appointed to a role in China, where many are predicting he will be part of an all new Chinese built V6 Commodore.Read full story at www.adelaidenow.com.au 

A 12,000km flight is set to change the face of V8 Supercars forever. The president of American racing giant, Penske Racing, landed in Sydney on Friday to negotiate a deal that could see one of the world's most famous race teams, run by one of America's most powerful businessmen, join the sport. In a coup that could tempt Australian NASCAR star Marcos Ambrose to quit America for a V8 homecoming, Penske Racing head Tim Cindric had a series of meetings at the Sydney 500. Penske Racing, owned by billionaire Roger Penske, operates two of the biggest teams in both NASCAR and IndyCar, and has competed in Formula One. Now the American institution wants in on V8 Supercars. Cindric held high level talks with V8 Supercars boss James Warburton on the weekend after touring pit lane. When fronted in pit lane, Cindric confirmed the company's interest in the sport and revealed former American businessman of the year Penske had been in Australia twice in the past two months. Penske owns one of the largest car dealership chains in the world, operates America's biggest trucking fleet and recently bought Australian trucking company Western Star trucks. Carsguide has been told he plans to conquer Australia and will use V8 Supercars as a platform to take on Toll and TNT before tackling the car dealership industry. "Roger has always had racing as part of his business plans. He has been out here a couple of times," Cindric said. “We want to understand it and then work out how to get involved.'' The whirlwind visit sparked talk of a return for Ambrose, who is off contract at the end of the season. V8 officials would not comment on the surprise visitor, or reveal what was discussed in the meetings.  

With a botched aerodynamics test ruining their history-making year, the powerful Japanese manufacturer has demanded a new test on their aerodynamics package with drivers claiming the cars feel as if they are being held back by a parachute. Privately they call their Nissan V8 a 'flying fridge'.Nissan global motorsport boss Darren Cox fronted V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton and was given the go-ahead to redesign the car in a move that will see Kelly Brothers Racing hit the grid with four new-look Nissan Altimas next year.New V8 Supercars commissioner Steve Horne admitted to Cox the aerodynamics test run on the Nissans before their landmark re-entry to the sport was not up to scratch. It was agreed to retest the cars with state of the art computer software as well as include them in all the testing that the new Volvo will undertake ahead of its entry into the sport.Nissan have been on the warpath since learning the aero package on their car was to blame for their poor performance - not the engine as previously thought. The team suspected their aero package - which determines how much drag the car is held back by and which influences speed - was inferior to the mainstay Holdens and Fords. It was confirmed beyond doubt at Bathurst when the car dramatically bogged down at speeds above 220km/h."We were down on engine speed and straight line speed at the beginning of the year," said Kelly Brothers racing co-owner and driver Rick Kelly.”We suspected the engine was to blame for both. As we improved the engine the straight line speed was still down. At Bathurst we were 10km/h off the rest of the field."We knew it was an aero problem then - and while frustrating, it is great that we know what is wrong and have been given permission to do something about it." The data gathered by the team has convinced V8 Supercars to conduct new tests which will see the manufacturer enter next year's series with a superior model car.Kelly Brothers Racing were forced to add drag to their car before the beginning of the season with the Altima described as a 'slippery' car with a formidable aero package. Todd Kelly wanted the sport to conduct their aero testing at a two-car wind tunnel in the US. The sport declined and instead tested the cars on a drag-strip, pushing the cars to top speed before turning them off and looking at how far they rolled.Many have been critical of the low-tech test, which was also conducted on a windy day. Nissan are pleased with the response from the sport's governing body and will fly in an aerodynamics guru of Le Mans fame to help them redesign their aerodynamic package. Ben Bowlby, who designed the famous Delta wing, will oversee the testing and design. Nissan representatives have privately declared the season a $5 million waste because of the bungle. 

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it is a V8 Supercar hurtling down Conrod straight at 310km/h. The Mount Panorama speed record could be blitzed this year with V8 Supercars considering allowing teams concessions that could see them blast past 300km/h. The V8 teams met last week and discussed using lower diff ratios that will let the high-powered machines wind out to record breaking speeds down Bathurst’s famous Conrod Straight. Currently, the V8 Supercars nudge 300km/h down the iconic piece of road that officials modified with a kink in 1987 following a racing fatality.  Conrod Straight was deemed too fast, and too dangerous. But with increased safety and technical improvements to the V8 Supercars, officials are considering letting the beasts run wild this year in a move that will add grunt and guts to the showcase events. You can bet fans will be turning out at 4am to secure a spot along straight should the proposal receive the green light from new chief executive James Warburton. It has already been agreed teams will start practice using the standing ratio, but officials may call a switch at any time due if some of the new generation cars spend too much time on the 'limiter', putting additional strain on the gear box.  For safety reasons, to limit top end speed, all V8 Supercars are limited to 7500rpm, but that should be easily reached on the trip back down the mountain. Already the cars just touch 300km/h in the right conditions, but generally maximum speed is just under that. The average speed at one of the world’s most spectacular race tracks is a staggering 178km/h. The extra speed would mean the race lap record of Jamie Whincup (2min 08. 4651sec) will be under genuine threat, as will Greg Murphy’s famous "Lap of the Gods" Top Ten Shootout lap of 2:06. 8594) set in 2003, with the new generation cars consistently faster in qualifying at the Sandown event. The Erebus Motorsport V8 Mercedes outfit, with their dominant powerplant, would also benefit greatly should the 'drop box' be used in the race. The Mercedes cars are already tipped to dominate across the top of the Mountain with their sheer brute strength, while fellow newcomers Nissan have superior handling and cornering but are battling for consistent straight line speed. To help the newcomers and their different style of engine to Ford and Holden, officials have mandated a minimum of seven pit stops for the main race.  This is designed to help overcome the fact the quad-cam engines use more fuel, hence they need to stop more and stop for longer to refuel over long-distance events.

Rod Nash has had enough. Since buying a majority stake in Ford Performance Racing (FPR), the factory backed Ford powerhouse, the former driver has gritted his teeth and held his tongue as people claimed a "civil war" raged  and "turmoil" threatened to rip apart his team. FPR’s on track performances have also been described as disastrous. Nash finally hit-back yesterday with the usually reticent team owner setting the record straight. In an exclusive interview as Bathurst nears, Nash opened up about in fighting at his team, the future of off-contract star Will Davison and his team’s performances. He also revealed the truth behind the team’s negotiations with the major sponsor Ford, whose future with the team remains uncertain after this year. Nash candidly admitted his driver’s had blues, but laughed off claims a "civil war" had been sparked by a team pit-stop decision that saw Davison plummet out of contention in Sandown. "Our driver’s have disagreements," he said. "I am not going to lie. I mean we saw vision on TV of Mark Winterbottom and Alex Davison having words earlier this year. But you know what? All drivers blue and I would be worried if they didn’t. "They do it because they are so competitive and want to win. They get fired up in the heat of the moment because they are hungry. But that is where it stays. All of our drivers get on well. They leave it all at the track. I can say that hand on heart. There is zero disharmony. "There have been total fabrications out there and nonsensical claims that are just plain wrong. Some of the stuff that has been reported has been hysterical. I have never, honestly, seen a team with such good morale. From the shop floor up." Nash slammed suggestions the team favoured established driver Winterbottom over Davison, and revealed the later was about to sign a new deal. "The team does not favour Mark. We have a clear policy of equal opportunity. Any other suggestion is 100 per cent wrong. We are very close to closing the deal with Will. On both sides, no one has any other alternative than to cut a deal and move on. It is not complete but it will be." Nash also confirmed he was close to securing a new contract with Ford, a major coup that will see the famous brand remain with the sport. "The negotiations are absolutely positive," Nash said. "FPR and the Geelong Football club are their big properties and we are important to them. I can confirm we have had discussion about a one-year deal, and also talk of a longer term deal. We are also looking at a three year contract. We are not too far away." Carsguide understands the deal has been signed off in Australia and is awaiting approval from HQ in the US. Nash accused the media of trying to kill off the deal. "All the negativity has been unhelpful," Nash said. "We have sat back and copped it, but not anymore. We can’t work out why we have been a punching bag. We are knocked down all the time even though we are in championship contention. "People have just written stupid things. I mean how two boys moved up into second and third prior to Sandown. It is hardly a fall apart season. It is been a bashing. I’m quite sick of some media outlets writing up not just us, but the sport as negative. These are tough times and it is doing us now good. Ford’s name has been canned by false information. Ford have to make a huge decision and people have been ripping into them. It is time it stops."  

Ford will not be lost to V8 Supercars — at least for another year — with the manufacturing giant set to extend its sponsorship of the Ford Performance Racing team for a further 12 months. In a move that will keep the fierce Holden versus Ford war alive, Ford is on the verge of handing a new set of keys to FPR.Ford has been in deep negotiations with the team and V8 Supercars for the past month with the manufacturer considering options in a tough car market. The decision to axe the Falcon and cease Australian operations at the end of 2016 led to widespread speculation Ford would end its association with the sport when its contract with FPR expired at the end of the year.But Ford is likely to sign on for another year with FPR and V8 Supercars, presenting a strong case for the manufacturer to stick around and take the fight to Holden, as well as new comers Nissan, Mercedes and soon Volvo. “A 12-month deal is looking likely,’’ a well-placed V8 source said.  “Negotiations look -encouraging and as of last week a new deal was looking imminent.”The new deal will leave Ford fans rejoicing and give the sport another year to convince the manufacturer there is a long-term future in V8s. The “Car of the Future’’ platform has enabled manufacturers easily to adapt many models for racing in the series, with Nissan this year bringing in the mid-size Altima and Volvo to unleash the S-60 on famous tracks such as Mount Panorama and Phillip Island.V8 officials have shown Ford their long-term plans and confirmed it would be able to race with a mid-size entry, with the sport aware of a shift towards smaller cars in the current economy. Depending on Ford’s plans, the Mustang may also be revived and is the preference of Ford drivers Mark Winterbottom and David Reynolds.Winterbottom yesterday said he hoped to see Ford remain in the sport for a long time, saying it was vital to the success of the category. “It is important for the sport that they stay,’” Winterbottom said yesterday. “Ford has such a long history in the sport and they have so many fans that would be shattered if they left.” 

The Holden legend yesterday quit his post as V8 Commissioner in a move that opens the door for a driving return. Skaife yesterday announced he is standing down from the high-profile position after guiding V8 Supercars through a tumultuous period that has seen him spearhead the revolutionary “Car of the Future” program.In his role of chairman of the V8 Commission, Skaife was instrumental in negotiating Nissan and Volvo’s return to the sport, as well as restructuring the V8 Supercars television department. Skaife was forced to abandon his driving career when he took up the role with the racing legend told he could have no “conflict of interest”.But on the eve of the endurance season — with the Sandown 500 set to begin today — Skaife is now considering making a return for next year’s endurance races after deciding not to stand for re-election. Skaife is already being hunted by several teams and recently knocked back a drive with the Triple Eight-run Microsoft 2013 Bathurst wildcard entry with his role ruling out a dream Bathurst return.There will be no such road blocks next year and the former Holden Racing Team owner and driver will be free to resume his assault on Peter Brock’s Bathurst record with Skaife needing three more Mount Panorama wins to equal the “Bathurst King”.Skaife had tired of the politics of his role and will take up another position where he will still work with the V8 board as a strategic adviser. Strangely, Skaife will wield more power in his new role with the commission working under the V8 board that Skaife will now directly work alongside.“I am enormously proud and honoured to have been the very first commission chair and of the incredible success of the new generation product which has led to the best racing in history,” Skaife said. “The commission has worked diligently to guide V8 Supercars through the Car of the Future introduction and in making decisive sporting recommendations to the board.“At times there has been robust and passionate debate, but that has led to significant outcomes, making the commission a critical part of the overall governance of the sport. I thank each and every member of the inaugural commission for their support of me as chairman; and of the professional and meticulous work it has done. I look forward to stepping up within V8 Supercars in a broader strategic and business development role to assist James and the board through the next stage of growth.”V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton said Skaife’s tireless contribution had been invaluable and that he would assume the role of Strategic Business Development and as an adviser to the board. “Mark’s contribution as commission chairman has been exemplary,” Warburton said. 

Following the Red Bull Racing Australia split that rocked V8s this week, we choose the top 10 “bust ups” and “dust ups” in the colourful sport.1. PETER BROCK v HOLDENThink Holden and you think Brock. He was the ultimate Red warrior and the man responsible for selling more Commodores than anyone. But back in 1987, “Peter perfect” was a General Motors' outcast.He was dumped for refusing to dump a snake oil device known as the “energy polariser”. Brock thought he was bigger than the company and ended up, in first, a BMW and then…gasp, a Ford. Plenty of blood was spilt and Brock spent two years in a Sierra before getting back into a Holden.2. DICK JOHNSON v CHARLIE SCHWERKOLTFord legend Johnson thought forklift entrepreneur Charlie Schwerkolt was his latest financial saviour. Long-time friends, they became partners and the future looked bright. Then Charlie wanted to sack Dick's driving son Steve, along with other members of his family.The gloves came off and the pair won a championship while not talking. They went through a nasty split and still don't talk. The drama cost Johnson James Courtney and half his staff.3. MARK SKAIFE v HOLDEN RACING TEAMHRT blame former owner Mark Skaife for almost ruining their team and Skaife blames them for almost ruining him. Skaife, the Holden legend, bought the team for $1 when owner Tom Walkinshaw hit bad times. The story goes Tom wanted it back and ran Skaife into the ground. Skaife and HRT are still far from friends.4. MARK SKAIFE v RUSSELL INGALLThis high profile duo were probably never best of friends and whatever they had was certainly killed off on a fiery day in November 2003 at Eastern Creek. Skaife was never one to take a shunt lightly and he walked from his wrecked car, towards the track, and shook his hands at Ingall. Another hothead, Ingall swerved to hit him.5. CRAIG LOWNDES v HOLDENHe was the next Peter Brock and the wunderkind Holden fans were pinning their hopes on. And then he broke their hearts in 2000 when he dumped them and HRT for Ford. Lowndes became public enemy No.1, but with a smile and a switch back to Holden in 2010, all was forgiven.6. MARCOS AMBROSE and GREG MURPHYThese two top-guns began a bitter rivalry, first with a war of words in a press conference in 2004 and then a famous Bathurst blue in 2005. The pair don't exchange Xmas cards.7. DICK JOHNSON v JOHN BOWEBest of mates, lifelong friends, well… until Bowe did a secret deal to leave Dick in 1998. They do speak but will never have the close bond of yesteryear.8. JAMES COURTNEY v DICK JOHNSON RACINGCourtney famously walked out on DJR after winning a championship in 2010. He had $1 million reasons (that's what HRT paid him a year) to leave, but that certainly did not make the situation right.9. TONY COCHRANE v V8 SUPERCARSThe founder of V8 Supercars quit his post last year. There is more to it with the investment company that bought V8s sharing a frosty relationship with TC before he “quit”.10. SHANE VAN GISBERGEN v STONE BROTHERSDon't expect to see Shane Van Gisbergen in the Erebus garage anytime soon. His former team spent the first half of the year trying to sue him for leaving mid-contract.Greg Murphy and Marcus Ambrose exchange words at Bathurst in 2005. 

“Being able to control the car when you are a bit sideways means you can have a bit of fun.” Craig Lowndes hurtles into the corner, his wheels spit rubber and his brakes scream.Lowndes' Red Bull Racing Australia Commodore bites and then barks, the weight of his full frontal corner attack sending the rear end into a slide. The crowd screams as the rubber burns and the Channel 7 commentary team work themselves into a frenzy.“Oh that's great,” V8 legend Mark Skaife says. “That's what we love to see. That is the typical Lowndes' style.” Craig Lowndes, OAM, has been described as wild, loose and aggressive. His four-wheel drifting has become his trademark and he has the most talked-about driving style in Australia.But just what is the five times Bathurst champion's style? And how does he do it? Ahead of today's final two races in Ipswich, we sat down with the motor sport legend to find out if he is really on the ragged edge, almost out of control. “It is all about carrying mid-corner speed for me,” Lowndes said.“If people want to talk about my style, that is what it is. I love carrying entry speed and corner speed. That works for me when the tyre is good, but when it degrades I get a bit of understeer, I can't carry the mid-corner grip, and that's when you see the slides and stuff everyone loves.” Lowndes claims he is not wild. Everything he does in his race car is calm and calculated.“I don't mind a car moving around a little bit,” Lowndes said. “It is just something I have gotten used to over the years and I am not concerned when it does slide a bit. It is just something I have always done and I don't do it on purpose.” Lowndes is not laying rubber on purpose, but that doesn't mean he doesn't like it. “Being able to control the car when you are a bit sideways means you can have a bit of fun,” Lowndes said.“I don't mind it a bit.” Lowndes' trademark style comes from his open wheel pedigree. He cut his teeth in go-karts before moving to Formula Ford. Lowndes was on the cusp of a Formula One drive before running out of cash to fund his European dream. “My driving style comes from my open wheel background,” Lowndes said.“It is more about mid-corner speed and that is how I drive. It has helped at times and it has also hindered.” Lowndes revealed the biggest challenge of his career was moving to the Dunlop tyre after spending years on the mid-corner friendly Bridgestone. “That was tough when Dunlop came in as the control tyre. I had to learn to drive to the tyre. Before that, on the Bridgestone, it suited my style with the mid-corner speed and grip. “The Dunlop was more about braking and accelerating. That was a huge change in my style and approach to racing.” Lowndes hates speaking about retirement. He is 39 and he is not thinking about the end because he feels like he is in the best form of his career. And it all comes down to style.“The ‘Car of the Future’ suits my style,” Lowndes said. “Car of the future has allowed me to have more mid corner speed, to get my style back. Drivers that come from an open wheeler background appreciate that more.”