Winterbottom and FPR boss unhappy with lack of blue flags

Mark Winterbottom and Ford Performance Racing Team Principal Tim Edwards have sounded off against the track officials at Queensland Raceway, with few blue flags seen in the latter part of Sunday’s race.

Winterbottom finished in second place in both races and in doing so reduced the gap to Triple Eight’s Jamie Whincup in the Championship standings by 18 points, and though the 31-year-old doesn’t believe he would have still caught race winner Craig Lowndes, the FPR driver is concerned that this could interfere with the Championship further on.

“The blue flags were really disappointing,” said Winterbottom. “It took about 30 laps before I saw one and it is an issue we have raised before numerous times so I can’t wait to hear an explanation about why they weren’t putting flags out.”

“We would’ve finished second regardless but nevertheless it needs fixing and fixing soon.”

FPR Team Principal Tim Edwards echoed his driver’s sentiments:
“I am absolutely appalled at the standard of race direction we witnessed in today’s race,” he said. “The total and utter lack of blue flags in the final part of the race when Mark and Craig (Lowndes) were coming through the backmarkers was disgraceful.”

“With flags I’m sure we would’ve remained second anyway but that is not the point. It needs to be addressed as we don’t want the best championship battle for many years decided by people not applying the basic rules of our sport.”