Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2024: Sunday Support wrap
Sunday 24 March, 2024
Nick Percat leading the Supercars field in the final race of the MSS Security Melourne SuperSprint. (Photos: Revved Photography)
FIA Formula 2 Championship
Isack Hadjar has bounced back after a disappointing Saturday to win today's FIA Formula 2 Championship Feature Race after good strategy and a measured drive from helped the Frenchman secure the victory over Hitech Pulse-Eight’s Paul Aron and Rodin Motorsport driver Zane Maloney.
Hadjar's win was the perfect response to his post-race penalty yesterday, which saw him lose his sprint race after being involved in a big lap-one incident.
Contact between Zak O’Sullivan and Roman Stanek at the start of the race, polesitter Dennis Hauger's crash on lap 11 and a crucial pit stop all helped the Campos Racing driver up the order before a number of impressive passes put him into contention.
Hadjar then gained the lead with a couple of laps to go after some late pit stops - eventually holding on for a terrific win.
FIA Formula 3 Championship
Christian Mansell was only able to leave Australia with one point towards his championship tilt after finishing the Feature Race in P10.
Having had a disappointing result yesterday, Mansell would have hoped to make up some places and score some valuable points, however he lost positions midway through the race after Jenzer Motorsport’s Charlie Wurz and Campos’ Sebastian Montoya wrestled their way past.
Not giving up, Mansell worked hard and made some late passes to slot into the 10th and score the final point, as PREMA Racing’s Dino Beganovic secured his first ever Formula 3 race win.
Tommy Smith was a victim of misfortune as Rodin Motorsport’s Joseph Loake made contact with the Victorian and they went off into the gravel at Turn 11 on the opening lap - ending what was a challenging weekend.
Repco Supercars Championship
Nick Percat has become the first driver outside of Red Bull to win a race this season after the Matt Stone Racing driver claimed the final outing of the MSS Security Melbourne SuperSprint.
Starting from the second row, Percat benefited from an early clash between Chaz Mostert and Matt Payne to slot into the lead, which he held for the remainder of the race.
Finishing in second place was Will Brown, who produced a mammoth effort during the 14-lap race to charge up the field from P9 - eventually crossing the line just four tenths off Percat, while Red Bull teammate Broc Feeney rounded out the final podium of the event.
As a result of his second place finish, Brown clinched the Larry Perkins Trophy over Feeney, as well as ending the weekend on top of the standings with a 17 point lead over his teammate.
The Repco Supercars Championship continues next month with the highly anticipated Taupō Super400 at Taupō International Motorsport Park in New Zealand on 20-21 April.