Brown from Walkinshaw Andretti United managed to secure the victory after a thrilling 40-lap race, showcasing his strategic skills by setting up a shorter second pitstop to take the lead with 10 laps remaining. Mostert, on the other hand, displayed impressive pace throughout the race, playing a game of cat and mouse with Brown. Despite his disappointment, Mostert recognized the significance of achieving two podium results in his first weekend working with a new race engineer, Sam Scaffidi.
Following his win, Brown expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of his victory in the first round. He acknowledged Mostert’s relentless pursuit but highlighted his ability to manage his tires effectively and secure the lead at a crucial moment in the race. Mostert, while disappointed with his result, remained positive about his podium finishes, recognizing the challenges he faced and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to secure two top-three finishes.
Saturday’s race winner, Feeney, faced adversity during the race after receiving a five-second pitlane penalty due to a clash with Golding on the opening lap. Despite starting from pole position, Feeney’s winning hopes were dashed as he struggled to recover from the penalty. He acknowledged his mistake and expressed regret over the early race incident, emphasizing the need to improve his starts in future races.
The battle between the top three drivers intensified during qualifying, with Feeney securing pole position in the Top 10 Shootout. Mostert, Brown, and Golding closely followed, setting the stage for a competitive race. While Feeney initially took the lead at the start, Brown’s strategic pitstop and tire management allowed him to overtake Mostert and secure the victory. The intense competition outside the top three, particularly involving Randle, Golding, and Reynolds, added excitement to the race.
After the conclusion of the first two races, Brown leads the championship standings with 288 points, followed closely by Feeney with 279 points and Mostert with 267 points. The teams are set to reconvene in four weeks at the Albert Park Grand Prix circuit in Melbourne, promising more intense battles and thrilling races in the upcoming rounds.