Mark Winterbottom to step down from full-time Supercars drive

Mark Winterbottom has announced that he will step down as a full-time Supercars Championship driver after the 2024 season, the first time since 2003 that he will not drive a full season in the championship.

“I am here today to announce that after 21 years in the driver’s seat, I won’t be driving full time in 2025,” said Winterbottom.

“It feels surreal to say these words. It’s a real mix of emotions and it doesn’t make it easy when you still have the fire in your belly and that red mist in your eyes.

“Things don’t always go your way in life though, but life is about looking forward and that’s what I plan to do.”

The 43-year-old, who is currently racing for Team 18 and is placed 15th overall, hints that he has got another announcement coming soon.

“I’m going to miss the pressure of qualifying where every lap is filled with adrenaline, precision, extracting every millimetre from the machine,” said Winterbottom.

“While I no longer will be on the grid full time, I do plan to continue to get back to this sport that I love and the amazing people that surround it with another announcement coming very shortly.”

The Supercars legend claimed the 2015 drivers’ title and won the 2013 Bathurst 1000 race, having claimed a total of 39 race victories and 120 podium finishes since 2003.