Shane van Gisbergen has grabbed pole position for the opening race of the Beaurepaires Melbourne 400 Supercars round. Starting alongside him is Red Bull Holden Racing team mate Jamie Whincup.
“The qualifying format is tricky because it’s just like a shootout,” commented van Gisbergen. “You get one shot and you’re limited with tyres and everyone bolts out – it’s like a shootout lap with traffic.
“The track felt quicker due to the Porsches being out before us giving it more grip which showed in the lap times. I felt like I nailed the first lap of the second qualifying, the second lap the car didn’t feel as good on the out-lap and didn’t quite get the lap right but I’m still in fourth for the second race on a bad lap which is pretty good.
“I’m keen to race tomorrow. Obviously, Adelaide was a really good start for us, but Albert Park is a completely different track but it’s good to be up the front.”
Current Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin will start from fourth.
“I’ve got a very neutral car, so it’s quite frustrating trying to work out how to give Ludo [Lacroix] and Richard [Harris] feedback on what I want,” said McLaughlin. “I don’t know if I want more turn, or more drive and I don’t want to give away one for the other. Good qualifying, 4th and 5th, but we’re just trying to chase that little bit more. The aero changes have definitely made a difference, the downforce is lower for sure. The cars feel similar, but they’re slower. The overall balance is the same, there’s just less grip.”
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