Van Gisbergen: De Pasquale penalty the right call

Shane van Gisbergen has defended Anton De Pasquale's last-gasp effort, but is adamant a penalty was deserving.

Van Gisbergen was sent into a spin at the final corner by De Pasquale in the NTI Townsville 500 finale.

De Pasquale was quickly handed a five-second penalty by officials, handing victory to van Gisbergen.

It was the first time in 2022 the two championship leaders have clashed on track.

Van Gisbergen believes the penalty was adequate, but admitted he still had a bone to pick with De Pasquale.

“I don’t think our system should discourage having a go,” van Gisbergen said on Supercars Trackside.

“I think it’s the right call by [Craig Baird].

“I’m angry at him, but I wanted to celebrate with the guys.

“I went and congratulated him, ‘Congratulations for having a go, but what were you thinking?’

“I definitely can’t rest on the championship lead… we need to get through Bathurst.

“I’m just gonna keep driving flat out."

Van Gisbergen led comfortably in the final stint, but De Pasquale closed in the final laps.

De Pasquale began the final lap 0.7s behind, and shadowed van Gisbergen to the end.

The battle reached its thrilling climax at the final corner, and van Gisbergen was sent into a spin.

De Pasquale attempted to redress, but van Gisbergen forecast the penalty and crossed the line behind.

It was a terse exchange in PIRTEK Victory Lane, van Gisbergen initially ignoring De Pasquale's advances.

However, they exchanged congratulations shortly afterwards, and also on the podium.

“I didn’t even look in the mirror, I was just turning in,” van Gisbergen continued.

“I tried to follow him across the line to give him a bigger penalty.

“He was locked from a long way back, but I don’t mind it.

“I’d be angry if I lost the race, but I want everyone to be having a crack.

“That makes a good show.”

Van Gisbergen extended his championship lead over De Pasquale to 274 points with the win.

The margin between the two heading into the weekend was 214 points.

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