Strained relations could force Lowndes out of HRT
7/9/2000 15:24 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) - Strained relations between Craig Lowndes and the Holden Racing Team could see Lowndes drive for another General Motors operation next season.
A Craig Lowndes-HRT divorce is becoming increasingly likely due to irreconcilable differences between both parties in the ongoing negotiation process – but that’s not to say Holden will loose their biggest star altogether.
The Australian today reports that Lowndes is just as likely to switch to another Holden-affiliated outfit as he is defecting to the Ford camp.
The national daily linked the 26-year-old, three-times Championship winner with the K-Mart-backed Gibson Motorsport team, where Lowndes would be reunited with former HRT campaigner and close friend, Greg Murphy.
Along with Ford discussions, talks between Larry Perkins’ Holden-Castrol operation have also been rumoured.
The report comes as HRT supremo John Crennen today used Auto Action to lash-out at Lowndes and his entourage for being unreasonable and uncooperative in the negotiation process.
Crennen said HRT have done everything in their power to retain the services of Lowndes, but demands made by his negotiation team would, “have Hakkinen and Schumacher embarrassed.”
With HRT relations stretched to beyond breaking-point, the chances of Lowndes driving with the Factory-backed team beyond this year decrease by the day.
Lowndes’ hopes of a fourth-straight Shell Series title with HRT have disappeared after boss Jeff Grech paired Lowndes with team-mate and championship nemesis, Mark Skaife.
| |
