Don’t expect Casey Stoner to tear up Australia’s V8 racetracks this year.

That’s the message from his Red Bull Racing teammates Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup, who don’t doubt the 27-year-old has the talent to adapt from a Honda MotoGP bike to a Holden Commodore.

But Lowndes believes Stoner’s biggest challenge will be subtlety, not speed when he competes in the second-tier V8 development series in 2013 following his stunning MotoGP retirement.

“It will be interesting to see how he goes,” said Lowndes.

“I think the only thing against him at the moment is track knowledge.

“There’s no doubt about his speed. But on a race weekend, when you’ve only got two 40-minute practice sessions to try to learn and develop the car (around the circuit)… that is probably going to be his Achilles heel.

“But he’s a determined person and he’s got great ability.

“We’ll be giving him as much help as possible to help him get up to speed.”

V8 Supercars defending champion Whincup also thinks Stoner’s ability to quickly learn the intricacies of the seven circuits on the schedule will likely make or break his transition.

“He’s one of the best motorsport athletes that Australia has seen and has still got a lot to prove as well,” said Whincup.

“It will take him a little bit of time. I’m trying to help him out.

“Don’t think he’s going to come out and set the world on fire.

“But with a few laps in the car, I think he’s going to be very, very fast.”

Triple Eight Racing team owner Roland Dane, who played a big part in Stoner’s recruitment, is as intrigued as any other motorsport fan with the two-time MotoGP champion’s move to the category.

“I think there’s every possibility that if he has a good run this year and gets confidence, you’ll see him in a car in the main (V8 Supercars) series next year,” said Dane.

Stoner’s first chance to show he has the goods on four wheels comes in the first event of the series in Adelaide from March 1.