Mostert excluded from Darwin opener

Chaz Mostert has been excluded from the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown opener after a post-race investigation.

Mostert crossed the line fourth behind Anton De Pasquale, Will Davison and Shane van Gisbergen.

It was revealed on the broadcast that the Mostert entry was under investigation over a pre-race technical breach.

When the car was on the grid, a battery-operated air blower was inserted in the front bumper.

The stewards report states that Mostert had "reported an issue with the Car on the reconnaissance Lap and that he had been occupied attempting to identify and resolve that issue".

Nonetheless, a breach of D8.1.8 was found, and Mostert was disqualified from the race.

The rule states: "Rule D8.1.8 prohibits the use of any device to artificially vary the temperature of any part of the Car when it is on the Grid with the exception of Driver cooling".

The device was activated and blowing air onto the radiator of the car.

According to the stewards' statement, the authorised team representative "did not dispute that the device had the effect of lowering the temperature of the engine cooling system on Car 25 from the temperature build-up achieved on the reconnaissance Lap".

Furthermore, the authorised representative acknowledged that Rule D8.1.8 was breached and explained that the device had been used by a team member "without consulting him and without his knowledge".

The report added: "While the Stewards accept that the breach was not deliberate, it nonetheless represents a technical infringement for which the universal Penalty is Disqualification.

"Given that in this case the breach resulted in a potential sporting advantage for Car 25 at the start of Race 16, the Stewards are satisfied that no other Penalty would be appropriate in this case."

The report also read: "The Competitor is reminded that Decisions and Penalties that may be subject to Appeal are set out in B7.7.2 and the Rights to and process for an Appeal are set out in B5".

The disqualification has dropped Mostert to sixth in the standings behind David Reynolds.

It's the second time in as many days the Walkinshaw Andretti United driver has been disqualified from a session.

Mostert was dumped out of the Practice 2 results after his left rear tyre was below the mandatory minimum tyre pressure.

Andre Heimgartner and Mark Winterbottom move into fourth and fifth.

Scott Pye, Cam Waters, Broc Feeney, James Courtney and Brodie Kostecki now fill positions six through 10.

Cars will return on Sunday at 8:35am local time for dual ARMOR ALL Qualifying sessions.

Purchase your Merlin Darwin Triple Crown tickets now.