Japanese Grand Prix talking points: Verstappen returns to winning ways as Perez solidifies grip on Red Bull seat
Red Bull and Max Verstappen vaulted right back to the top of the charts with a win in Suzuka, after his DNF in Melbourne.
Supercars star Jamie Whincup is out to cement his status as one of the greatest drivers in the history of Australian motorsport.
The Holden ace can become just the second man to claim 100 Supercars races with a victory in either race this weekend at the Ipswich Supersprint event.
Whincup recorded his 99th career win on the streets of Townsville a fortnight ago to keep his lead in this year’s championship race.
If the six-time Supercars champion can win a race at Queensland Raceway, he’ll join veteran Craig Lowndes as the only drivers with a century of victories to their name.
Lowndes reached the mark last year in his 559th start.
Whincup has only started 394 races to get to within one of the ton – a strike rate of 25.12 per cent or one win for every five races he’s started across his career.
The Red Bull Racing star says getting to the milestone at what is his team’s home test track is definitely on his mind.
“Knowing how hard it is to win one race – to win a hundred – it’s something very special,” he said.
“I’d love to do it here this weekend. That’s the goal. Hopefully, it doesn’t take too long.”
Whincup might, however, need to find some pace before Saturday after finishing 19th in Friday’s practice run at Queensland Raceway.
Ford star Fabian Coulthard went quickest for the day with a one minute, 09.7061 second lap to finish ahead of Lowndes (1:10.7061) and Ford’s Chaz Mostert (1:09.8354).
Saturday’s action begins with a qualifying session from 1.30pm before the 120km race starts at 4.15pm.
AUSTRALIA’S GREATEST DRIVER? – JAMIE WHINCUP’S SUPERCARS CAREER STATS:
* Most championships (6)
* Holds record for most pole positions in a season (13 in 2013)
* Second-most race wins (99)
* Equal sixth for most Bathurst 1000 victories (4)
* Has a career strike rate of one win from every five starts
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