Toyota drivers Chaz Mostert and Jaxon Evans secured first and third place respectively at The Bend, according to race reports. Mostert admitted post-race that a tense tactical battle between team Supras two-thirds through the event may have cost the squad a potential 1-2 finish, as detailed by Speedcafe.
Team Strategy and Track Position Battles at The Bend
Toyota offset its strategy by leaving Evans out under the third Safety Car. This decision put Mostert and teammate Wood on track together after Mostert emerged from his fourth stop directly ahead of Wood. According to Speedcafe, Wood lost three seconds to chasing driver Kai Allen over the next three laps. Mostert struggled to generate temperature in his slick tyres on a damp racing line. Engineer Richard Harris instructed Wood to “just race” and remain “nice and smooth” while noting Mostert held a fuel and tyre advantage.
“It’s probably something we’ll review a bit as a team,” Mostert told Speedcafe regarding the close quarters racing. “When you got such a competitive teammate, that’s always going to happen at some point.” Mostert added that clear track was vital for bringing his tyres up to temperature while acknowledging Wood’s respectful following distance on the damp circuit.
Driver Reactions and Broadcast Commentary
Broadcast commentator and mentor Greg Murphy questioned the team’s approach live on air, suggesting the squad should have swapped positions to protect Wood’s track position. Four laps later, Wood noted on radio that significant time had been lost. Wood later explained to media that he initially tried to press forward because he understood how long slick tyres took to activate, but realized dirty air was hurting Mostert.
“I sort of realised after two laps, okay, there’s no way of me getting past cleanly or low risk, and then I just sort of dropped it off a little bit and gave him a little bit of space,” Wood recalled. Wood’s radio communication during the race remained calmer than previous clashes at Symmons Plains and Townsville, despite Wood tagging Mostert’s rear during Friday practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Mostert and Wood finish on the podium?
Yes. Chaz Mostert finished first and Jaxon Evans finished third in the Toyota entries at The Bend.
What caused the intra-team battle between the Toyotas?
Mostert exited the pits directly in front of Wood following his fourth stop. This forced Wood to navigate behind Mostert while Mostert struggled to warm up his slick tyres on a damp track.
How did the team instruct Wood during the battle?
Engineer Richard Harris told Wood to “just race” and be “nice and smooth” because Mostert held a fuel-in-hand advantage and fresher tyres.
Want to stay up to date with the latest Supercars developments? Subscribe to our newsletter or explore more race analysis on our Motorsport news hub. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on team orders.
- Aaron Rai Outshines Rory McIlroy After Nerves
- Europa League Standings After Matchday One
- La Liga President Reveals Shocking Ballon d’Or Prediction: ‘Barcelona Star Deserves It’ | Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, and the Quest for Glory” Keyword density: – Ballon d’Or (3.5%) – La Liga (2%) – Barcelona star (2%) – Lionel Messi (1.5%) – Karim Benzema (1%) (archyworldys.com)