‘Unfinished business’: Mostert makes Bathurst statement
Chaz Mostert hails "unfinished business" with Fabian Coulthard
Mostert/Coulthard fell 1.0491s short in 2022 Bathurst 1000
Mostert chasing third Bathurst win, Coulthard yet to win
Chaz Mostert is determined to right the wrongs of falling short with Fabian Coulthard in Bathurst three years ago.
After two seasons alongside Lee Holdsworth, Mostert has been paired with veteran Coulthard for the year's longest races. In 2022, Mostert/Coulthard were just 1.0491s from victory, with Shane van Gisbergen/Garth Tander winning a wet/dry thriller.
Mostert has missed out since, finishing fourth (2023) and fifth (2024) with Holdsworth. Coulthard, meanwhile, was 14th (2023) with Nick Percat, and 15th (2024) with Ryan Wood.
Mostert/Coulthard were in the mix at The Bend last month, only for a strategy gamble to consign them to eighth.
The star duo were already up against it, with Walkinshaw Andretti United Team Principal Carl Faux parachuted in to engineer the car in the absence of Sam Scaffidi.
Already a two-time winner, Mostert has made his intentions clear ahead of this weekend’s Repco Bathurst 1000.
"Fabs and I have unfinished business at Bathurst, it’s going to be a redemption weekend for us,” Mostert said.
"The Bathurst gods always have something to throw your way, that’s what makes this place so special, as a team and driver you need to be prepared for that.”
Beyond his 2022 runner-up result, Coulthard's other bright spot at the Mountain came with DJR Penske and Tony D’Alberto in 2017, finishing third.
"This is the best weekend of the year, we have put in the hard work in the lead up to the event and now we need to execute,” Coulthard said.
"Last time Chaz and I were teamed up at Bathurst we came second, this year the goal is to finish one step higher.”
Wood/Jayden Ojeda led the way for WAU at The Bend, recovering to sixth after dropping outside the top 10 early.
While Mostert is locked in, Wood is still fighting for a Finals spot, and sits 139 points clear of 10th. Eighth in Bathurst will lock the Kiwi into the playoffs.
“I grew up watching the Bathurst 1000 and it still feels surreal to actually be racing in it again,” Wood said.
"Qualifying hurt us at The Bend, that will be a focus for us this weekend, it definitely makes your day easier on Sunday when you start up the front.”
Ojeda added: "This is the race we look forward to all year, it’s the best race on the calendar, for us co-drivers it’s like Christmas has come early.
"We had a solid weekend at The Bend but it really wasn’t where we wanted to end up, it just makes Woody and I hungrier for a better result this weekend.”
Track action at the Mountain commences on Thursday.
