WAU to appeal Mostert disqualification

Walkinshaw Andretti United has lodged a notice to appeal Chaz Mostert’s Race 16 disqualification.

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

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

Following a hearing after the race, Mostert was disqualified for having a battery-operated air blower inserted in the front bumper on the grid prior to the start of Race 16.

As a result, Mostert lost the 80 points he earned in Race 16.

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

Brad Jones Racing’s Andre Heimgartner was promoted to fourth and Team 18’s Mark Winterbottom to fifth.

The stewards’ 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”.

WAU later confirmed it will appeal the stewards’ findings.

"Walkinshaw Andretti United has lodged a notice to appeal tonight’s decision to disqualify car 25 from Race 16," a team spokesperson said.

"The Team will not be making any further comment at this stage.”

It comes a day after Mostert was disqualified from Practice 2 for a tyre pressure breach.

The left rear tyre on Mostert's car was below the mandatory minimum tyre pressure when he rolled out of pit lane.

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

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