What we learned from Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight

The first round of the 2022 Repco Supercars Championship has been run and won in Sydney.

Does that mean we already have a form guide for the 2022 season?

If the last few years of season openers has taught us anything, then yes; but Sydney Motorsport Park has been known to throw some curveballs.

A Shane van Gisbergen error on Sunday opened the door for Chaz Mostert to take the points lead.

However, unlike 2021, the leader after the first round wasn’t untouchable.

If anything, if Mostert indeed proves the one to chase, he won’t have a comfortable ride by any means.

And that’s not even taking in the fact weather, mixed compound tyres and long races shook up the order.

The return to Symmons Plains will be competed on the new Super Soft tyre, so set-up and driver smarts will be key.

Here are five things Supercars.com learned at the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight.

An early title preview...

Mostert and van Gisbergen went toe-to-toe in Bathurst to end the 2021 season on a flying note.

The two shared the wins in Sydney, sparking early signs of what could be the title fight of 2022. However, Mostert still labelled SVG as the one to beat.

It's as early a crow as they come, being one round of 13. However, considering Mostert's delight at leading the championship, it's a big deal.

Van Gisbergen's 2021 title bid was centred on consistency. Triple Eight is always fast in Tasmania, but Mostert's win there last April proved Walkinshaw Andretti United had began to turn a corner.

f Mostert can be kept at the front by his team at every round, a drivers' title could head to Clayton for the first time in 20 years.

… but they won’t be the only ones

Even then, it's not as simple as Mostert versus van Gisbergen.

Anton De Pasquale scored podiums on both days in Sydney, and it markedly better off after one round versus 2021.

De Pasquale scored podiums in Tasmania last year; from there, we'll head to Albert Park, where Shell Mustangs have been the class of the field.

Erebus Motorsport showed a strong hand in Sydney, and the best from Tickford Racing is yet to come.

Then, there's the dark horses of Andre Heimgartner and Tim Slade, who brought home solid results in Sydney but wanted more.

Next step crucial for Erebus

A pole and a podium for Brodie Kostecki on Sunday helped Erebus to its brightest start to a season yet.

Had Will Brown converted on Saturday, or qualified higher on Sunday, it could have been even better for the Boost Mobile-backed squad.

Erebus is second in the teams' standings, and heads to a circuit the team has yet to record a pole or win at.

If Erebus is serious about its 2022 title hopes, it can't afford to go missing at Symmons Plains.

Tickford living on the edge

It was a miserable Saturday for Tickford Racing, with Cam Waters qualifying 22nd and finishing highest of the quartet in 11th.

Somehow, Waters still left Sydney sixth overall and 87 points from the championship lead.

The team turned a corner with its lead driver on Sunday; relative to 2021, Waters is closer to the points lead after one round.

Waters scored two poles in Tasmania last year, but failed to convert to victory due to tyre life dramas.

If Sydney is Tickford's worst round of the year, then they'll be worth keeping an eye on from here as Waters chases title glory. 

Midfield battle will be a belter

Seven different teams are represented in the top 10 in the drivers' championship.

Beyond the usual suspects, several teams stood up at times in Sydney, and fell by the wayside.

Regardless, Grove Racing, Matt Stone Racing, Team 18 and Brad Jones Racing all proved their worth in Sydney.

Which midfield team will strike the hammer blow in Tasmania, and will they demote a front-runner?

The 2022 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint. CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets.

Every session of the event will be broadcast live on Foxtel (Fox Sports 506) and streamed on Kayo.