Hazelwood: 10th in the points 'no surprise'

Todd Hazelwood says being 10th overall is no surprise considering his consistency in 2022.

Hazelwood has either been in or around the top 10 at all three rounds so far this season.

The Matt Stone Racing driver secured a top five in the first Saturday race at Albert Park.

It marked his second straight event in the top five, having finished fifth in the Tasmania finale.

The 2017 Super2 champion gained 16 spots across the four Melbourne races, highlighted by a stirring charge in the finale.

Hazelwood started 25th and last after a qualifying crash, but vaulted to 14th, scoring fastest lap bonus points along the way.

"Sitting 10th is a reflection of the hard work that’s been going on behind the scenes,” Hazelwood told Supercars.com.

Hazelwood on the tools after his qualifying crash

“We finished the weekend on a high, considering how we started the weekend.

“The most impressive thing for us as a team was being able to progress the car.

“It got faster and faster, to the point we got the fastest lap of the race on Sunday.

“To get the results we got and to build on that across the weekend, we’re pretty happy.”

He opened the weekend with a run from 19th to 14th on Friday, before racing from 10th to fifth in Race 7.

The second Saturday race was tough, with Hazelwood dropping from ninth to 14th.

However, the pace of the #35 Truck Assist Commodore was on show in the finale.

Hazelwood charged through the field, gained 11 spots and clocked the quickest lap time of all.

Having secured solid results at three very different circuits, Hazelwood was motivated to again convert in Perth later this month.

“We certainly went into this year hungry for results,” he said.

“But that was on the basis that we had to be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

“To have two top fives this early in the season and be 10th in the championship… I’m not surprised, but it’s nice to get there so early in the year.

“To be in the top 10, it shows the pace in the car and the consistency we’ve had in the three rounds.

“They’ve proven to be three very different circuits, so that bodes well for us.

“Perth will be an unknown, I haven't driven there since 2019. It’ll be another curveball, but I’m looking forward to it."