Van Gisbergen welcomes greater Feeney challenge

Shane van Gisbergen says teammate Broc Feeney is "going to get better and better” in 2023 after the latter’s learning rookie season.

Feeney made his debut with Red Bull Ampol Racing in 2022. Heading into his rookie season, he hadn’t raced in Tasmania, Albert Park or Perth.

He quickly made an impression, however, out-qualifying van Gisbergen in Tasmania before scoring his first podium.

The then teenager then scored top six finishes at Albert Park and Perth, before later ending 2022 with his first win in Adelaide.

Van Gisbergen ultimately dominated, but Feeney has closed the gap this year as all drivers continue to grapple with the new Gen3 cars. 

Through two rounds in 2023, Feeney has already scored two podiums — one later taken away due to a technical breach — and a pole-to-win victory in Melbourne.

Van Gisbergen, who has two wins to his name, said Feeney’s performance will prove crucial as Triple Eight aims to win the Gen3 development war.

Both drivers have already won this year

It comes as Erebus Motorsport leads both championships heading to the April 28-30 Perth event.

“It’s been awesome, and on-track, it’s going to get better and better,” van Gisbergen said on the latest The Quarterly Report podcast.

“The tracks that were new to him last year, he’s going to be even quicker.

“Tassie was the second round last year, and he’s out-qualifying me in his first time there.

“Especially this year as well, we need to push each other and develop this car together before we try and beat everyone else.

“To have that year last year before the new cars is a huge help to us this year.”

Including the first race in Newcastle, a Red Bull Ampol Camaro has been on all six podiums so far this season.

The next round in Perth will offer another stern test for teams, with a single 90-minute practice session to be held before Race 7 qualifying.

Feeney has forecast a 'battle' with Erebus

The 90-minute session will allow teams to try a number of different set-ups in-session ahead of three 42-lap sprints.

Given the lack of in-car set-up change opportunities, van Gisbergen reiterated that feedback from both drivers will be crucial as the team looks to get an edge on its rivals.

“It’s more important to work together to make sure we get the set-up right and develop the car right to be fast,” said van Gisbergen, who won two races in Perth last year.

“It feels like you’re so limited with what the car does, we need to have the thing right every time.

“We don’t have the roll bars systems to tune the car, so we’ve got to be sharp with our feedback.

“We have to try all areas of set-up during practice and be on it."

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint on April 28-30.