Frosty speaks out; sacked star vows to fight on

Celebrated Supercars star Mark ‘Frosty’ Winterbottom has spoken out about his recent dumping by Team 18.

The out of contract Winterbottom was the loser in a massive driver shuffle that saw reigning Supercars champion Brodie Kostecki move from Erebus to Dick Johnson Racing and Anton De Pasquale named as Frosty’s replacement at Team 18 for the 2025 season, with debutant Cooper Murray filling the empty seat at Erebus.

“I didn’t expect it. That wasn’t the communication,” Winterbottom told Mark Fogarty in the “Road To Bathurst, powered by VACC Automotive Apprenticeships” (listen below).

“Teams make decisions and they just have to stick by them. That is their call. It wasn’t what was discussed, but they have made the decision and that is that.

“You come home and tell your family. Motorsport is funny. You think you know the script but it’s more of a soap opera than any TV show that you watch.

“The decision has been made. We have four rounds to go and I’m going to try to enjoy those four rounds and do the best job that I can… try and finish off the year strong. That is all I can do.”

And while Winterbottom will be in demand as a gun co-driver, he’s not ready to give up continuing as a full-time driver.

“I’m still pretty fresh and I think I am driving well. I have a lot to offer and I am hungry. I don’t have a point to prove, but f*ck I have a point to prove… I know in a good car I will get the results!

“Sometimes what you want and what you get are two different things. This year I have had two podiums. The team has only had two podiums and I have had them both… and their only win. I always wear the team hat and I think I would have been higher up in the points if I didn’t take a few risks. I’m not ready to give up yet!”

Frosty’s an outside candidate to join PremiAir, with both Tim Slade and James Golding at risk.

Third-generation driver Cameron McLeod is also a hot tip to join Peter Xiberras’s ambitious Nulon Racing outfit.

Foges also discusses the latest on the 2025 Supercars calendar, the bleak future of Sandown Raceway, the potential return of the much-loved Enduro Cup, Kostecki’s big pay day and he lifts the lid on a Supercars tyres controversy.

All this and much more in the first episode of the Road To Bathurst podcast.