Shane van Gisbergen wins C1 Supercars in Melbourne

Supercars in overdrive!

It all started during the Newcastle weekend, the opening round of the 2023 season of the Australian championship. Shane Van Gisbergen has seriously questioned the performance level of the new cars compared to the previous generation.

While the storm is already brewing above the Supercars planet, Van Gisbergen and his Triple Eight Race Engineering teammate Broc Feeney were both stripped of their victory and podium in Race 1 for non-compliance with the air conditioning system. of their Camaro.

It didn't take much to set things on fire. During the closing press conference of the first meeting, SVG chose the law of silence by refusing to answer journalists' questions. The week that followed was stormy and hectic.

The Triple Eight driver explained his behavior by arguing that he had serious doubts about the new cars. He clarified that he does not think they can offer the same spectacle in the race given their level of performance.

Severely criticized for his behavior but supported by his team, the reigning Supercars champion decided to make himself available to the championship promoters in order to improve the behavior of these cars.

The other bomb of the week came from Chevrolet which announced the end of production of the Camaro by 2025. Supercars was alarmed by this decision while the majority of these teams decided to trust the brand American by entering 14 Camaros in the championship.

Chevrolet has since eased the pressure, ensuring that it will continue to supply parts and elements necessary for the life of this generation of Supercars. However, the atmosphere remains hot in the Australian Supertouring championship.

Melbourne to calm the spirits

Nothing like returning to competition to focus on the essentials. The Albert Park weekend got off to a bad start for Shane Van Gisbergen, with the driver of the No. 97 Camaro ending the first free practice session in the wall.

The damage forced his team to work during the second free practice session. To thank its mechanics for this hard work, SVG took pole position for the second race. The best time in the first went to Anton de Pasquale at the wheel of his Dick Johnson Racing Ford Mustang.

For this first meeting on a track made complicated by a level of grip higher than what Supercars drivers are used to, De Pasquale was ahead of Brodie Kostecki (Erebus Motorsport) and Van Gisbergen (Triple Eight Race Engineering). Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw Andretti United) and Cam Waters (Tickford Racing) are in ambush in the Top 5.

Van Gisbergen took control of Race 1 from the third pass in front of the pits. He will no longer be joined and has already signed his second success in 2023, his 77th career. The New Zealand giant won ahead of drivers Erebus, Kostecki and Will Brown.

Feeney (Triple Eight) is fourth under the checkerboard with points for the fastest lap in the race as a bonus. The championship leader, Mostert retains control of the general classification by finishing fifth and best Mustang driver.

Pole sitter De Pasquale battled against Kostecki, Brown and Waters. Delayed by his pit stop, De Pasquale had to settle for a disappointing 6th place at the finish. His teammate Will Davison is even more difficult with a 16th place under the checkerboard.

Tomorrow morning (5:50 a.m. French time), the Supercars drivers will sweep the track for the stars of the Formula 1 since they will be on track just before the second F1 free practice session. All the results of the Australian Supercars can be found in autohebdo.fr.

🥇today, thanks @redbullampol for getting us back on track for Quali after my mistake in practice! Starting at the front tomorrow looking forward to it!😀 pic.twitter.com/XnKPJPI8Yv

—Shane van Gisbergen (@shanevg97) March 30, 2023