Double-podium De Pasquale has doubleheader 'direction'

Anton De Pasquale is confident the Shell V-Power Racing Team has “good direction” for next weekend’s Townsville doubleheader.

De Pasquale was the closest challenger to Red Bull Ampol Racing across both races at the NTI Townsville 500.

The 25-year-old was third behind Shane van Gisbergen and Jamie Whincup in both 250km races.

However, he was 37 seconds off the win on Saturday, and over 20 seconds off on Sunday.

He said his Sunday car was better, but admitted third was the maximum result.

"I think our car was a little bit better today, and I think two third places this weekend was as good as we were going to get," he said.

"Our middle stint in fresh air was quite good, but we were just sort of in third with a gap behind and a gap in front.”

De Pasquale started fifth, but lost ground off the start.

He cleared Cameron Waters for fifth on lap 22, and was a beneficiary of Nick Percat’s power steering drama.

He emerged from the first pit cycle behind teammate Will Davison, but overhauled him and drove away in the final stint.

"We were just cruising around, but I think we’ve got good direction for next week,” said De Pasquale, who finished over 13 seconds ahead of Davison.

"We’ll have a week to think about it and hopefully come back stronger.”

With Chaz Mostert enduring a tough weekend, Davison moved up to third in the drivers’ standings, with De Pasquale up to sixth.

The season will resume next weekend at the WD-40 Townsville SuperSprint.