Drivers weigh in on Grand Prix biff and barge

A bruising opening sprint race at the MSS Security Melbourne SuperSprint could set the tone for more action at Albert Park this weekend.

Broc Feeney controlled the race from pole position, leading home teammate Will Brown and Matt Stone Racing’s Cameron Hill, but all hell broke loose behind him.

There were several tales of woe as drivers were muscled down the order, opening the door to the likes of Cam Waters to make big positional gains.

Notably, Jack Le Brocq came off second best in a late clash with Brodie Kostecki disputing fourth, while Richie Stanaway was turned around in a four-way clash with Chaz Mostert, Cooper Murray and Nick Percat.

"We were running well in Race 1 in P4 before unfortunately being turfed and sent back to last… average end to day 1,” Le Brocq said.

Stanaway added: “After the Safety Car I got taken out by someone and that was that... it all unravelled pretty quickly."

The classification will remain unchanged, however, with Driving Standards Advisor Craig Baird confirming to Supercars.com that no penalties will be handed out.

It comes after a dramatic and action-packed Sydney 500, with Waters and Feeney both welcoming more "rubbing" and "hard racing.”

The Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit lends itself to stunning Supercars racing, thanks to sequences of fast, flowing corners, which encourage side-by-side, pack racing.

Amid all the rubbing in Thursday’s race, though, some drivers were still caught out in battles, some — like David Reynolds — undone by damage after qualifying down the order.

“I was going really good until Waters drilled me and destroyed the rear of my car and probably lost all the downforce. After that I was a bit of a sail and it was impossible to drive after that,” Reynolds said.

“Just another bad luck race, but onwards and upwards for us. We need to not qualify back there with the numpties and have a better go.”

Brad Jones Racing was another team to have drivers caught in melees, with Andre Heimgartner taking key lessons from the race into the remainder of the weekend.

"Just got bailed a few times by people and then had to decide whether I was going to have a crash or preserve myself, but I think there's some good lessons,” Heimgartner said.

Bryce Fullwood added: "Today was a bit hard to take, honestly. We had some very good car speed but just got caught up with everyone else. There was some chaotic racing out there.

Jaxon Evans said: "There was plenty of carnage out there with people crashing into each other and some average moves, which unfortunately we were on the receiving end of a couple."

The 19-lap Race 5 will commence at 2:50pm local time.