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Can anyone stop Jamie Whincup in 2015?

The 2018 Supercars season is about to get underway. (Photo: Red Bull content pool)
Expert
25th February, 2015
10

Few have dominated their chosen sports like Jamie Whincup, a record-breaking, six-time V8 Supercars champion looking for a fifth consecutive title in 2015.

Whincup appears unstoppable: driving for the best team in pitlane; with the support of the most committed manufacturer; stability in terms of personnel behind him; and a new contract up his sleeve.

But genuine challengers are emerging – and there are a few putting their hands up for a crack at Whincup. And for some of them, 2015 is a make or break year; now or never.

First among them is the factory Ford team, Prodrive Racing Australia, often the bridesmaids to Whincup. Recent Bathurst winners Mark Winterbottom and Chaz Mostert are now equipped with the new FG X Falcon, which appears to have overcome the aerodynamic deficiencies of the dated FG.

With Ford funding coming to an end following this season, this is Winterbottom’s time to strike and claim that elusive championship. As for Mostert, he will be flying high from his last-to-first Bathurst win last season and could get on par with his more experienced teammate.

Then there’s the official factory Holden team, the Holden Racing Team, looking to end a 13-year championship drought. The team’s edged closer to the front in recent years, boosted by the arrival of former Whincup team manager, Adrian Burgess. But now’s the time for a proper championship tilt.

As for those who will only get stronger, young gun Scott McLaughlin starred in his new Volvo Polestar S60 last season. With a season’s worth of development under their belt, the Volvo should be even more of a threat.

Tekno Autosports’ Shane van Gisbergen punched well above his team’s weight in a customer car last season, stealing runners-up in the championship ahead of Winterbottom and Whincup’s teammate Craig Lowndes, and he’s only growing in confidence with the single-car team rallying behind him.

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Jamie Whincup with yet another trophy

The surprise packet could well be Nissan Motorsport, as the four-car factory-backed team looks to climb up the grid after a lackluster two seasons.

Aside from the new FG X Falcon, the Nissan Altima has undergone the most changes in terms of aerodynamics. And early signs from testing suggest the Altima has taken a step forward and could emerge from the mid-pack to challenge for wins.

Meanwhile, there will be a lot attention on DJR Team Penske’s Marcos Ambrose, the former champ returning to the series after nine years in NASCAR with the new-look team now owned by North American racing giant, Team Penske.

Ambrose and the team may need some time to get acquainted with the new-generation V8 Supercar, though if the FG X is speedy right away, the returnee could be pushing for top 10s soon rather than later.

For the sake of the series, it’s hoped one or more of these combinations can take it to Whincup. In the first year of its new media-rights deal, where there will be intense interest in the ratings on Fox Sports and Network Ten, V8 Supercars can’t afford a whitewash.

But looking at the formbook, there are enough contenders to give Whincup a harder time than in recent seasons. But whether one of those combos can dethrone the champ, that’s another story.

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Jamie Whincup of Red Bull Racing Australia

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