Winterbottom amongst the pace setters in Brazil

Mark Winterbottom has quickly adapted to the Brazil Stock Cars’ series by setting the third fastest time in the second co-drivers only session at the Goiania circuit.

Although it is Winterbottom’s second appearance in the series after racing at the Interlargos Circuit in Sao Paulo last year, the Pepsi Max Crew driver has got up to speed at the different circuit aboard the left-hand-drive V8 powered Peugeot from Voxx Racing.

Former F1 pilot Ricardo Rosset set the quickest time ahead of Nestor Girolami, with Winterbottom 0.2-secs from the fastest time despite reporting a brake issue.

Winterbottom was sixth quickest in the 33 car field during the first session which was run in wet conditions.

Amongst the staring co-drivers in the field are Lucas Di Grassi, Vitor Meira, Laurens Vanthoor, Nicolas Prost, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Nelson Piquet Jr, Bruno Senna, Enrique Bernoldi, Chris van der Drift, Jaime Alguersuari and Jacques Villeneuve.

The regular drivers also have plenty of star quality including the likes Rubens Barrichello, Antonio Pizzonia, Ricardo Zonta, Luciano Burti and former V8 Supercar driver Max Wilson.

“It’s going well, “said Winterbottom.

“It has a lot more grip than I’m used to. My team-mate is quite fast, tomorrow is a big day and I don’t want to let him down.

“There’s a big difference between the Brazilian V8 and the V8 Supercars. We’ve got a lot more power, but they have a lot more grip. It’s different to drive because the car have got a lot more aero, so it carries more speed mid-corner. But it’s very nice to drive, very close racing, and it’s fun”.

Tomorrow’s qualifying will be a combination of both drivers with Winterbottom sharing with one of the series’ favourites Marcos Gomes.

Brazil Stock Car – Practice 3 : Goiania