Rookie radar: Bruising weekend puts rising stars on redemption path

The Melbourne SuperSprint is a manic weekend for even the most seasoned of veterans in the Repco Supercars Championship.

For the five rookies in this year's championship, it was a real baptism of fire. If they didn't find trouble, trouble would find them, with scores of tales of woe for the first-year drivers.

However, there was still the odd flash of promise, with some big charges throughout the field across a wild four days in Melbourne.

Jayden Ojeda

Qualifying: 24th*, 24th*, 15th, 13th

Results: 16th, 18th, 12th, 7th

*Ojeda missed Race 4 and Race 5 Qualifying due to Practice 2 crash, started 23rd in Race 5

A fine recovery, but on the other hand it's a big case of what could've been. Went from hero to zero on Thursday after topping Practice 1 when he crashed heavily in Practice 2, missing both of the following qualifying sessions. Race pace flew under the radar, gaining 23 positions, and claiming his first top 10 of the year on Sunday.

Rylan Gray

Qualifying: 20th, 23rd**, 23rd, 16th

Results: 17th, 15th, 16th, 14th

**Gray was disqualified from Race 5 Qualifying due to a technical breach, and started behind Ojeda

Whilst Brodie Kostecki dominated the weekend, his teammate's chances were severely dented by a clutch issue in Thursday qualifying. A technical breach in the second session only made matters worse. However, the teenager worked his way forward in all four races, as he builds into the season.

Jackson Walls

Qualifying: 18th, 18th, 22nd, 21st

Results: 24th, 16th, 11th, 16th

Amidst all of the chaos on Sunday, Jackson Walls was one of the lucky ones, avoiding contact at Turn 1. Charging from 22nd to 11th was a superb effort on Saturday, but was caught out by the slippery surface off-line on Thursday as he spun into the gravel. Also got tangled up with Jobe Stewart on Sunday.

Jobe Stewart

Qualifying: 22nd, 22nd, 21st, 23rd

Results: 20th, 22nd, 15th, 18th

Erebus' tough start to 2026 continued, as did Stewart's steep learning curve. Yet to crack the top 20 in qualifying, the South Aussie did race his way to an encouraging 15th on Saturday, in what was otherwise another nightmare weekend for Erebus. Remains ahead of highly rated teammate Cooper Murray in the standings.

Zach Bates

Qualifying: 15th, 21st, 14th, 24th***

Results: 19th, 17th, 13th, DNF

***Bates missed Race 7 Qualifying due to starter motor failure

After a fine start to his full-time career in Sydney, luck deserted Zach Bates in Melbourne. He didn't get past Turn 3 before striking trouble in all four races, and was taken out of the last qualifying session through no fault of his own. Copped heavy damage in the Turn 1 shunt on Sunday, rubbing salt into the wound.

2026 Supercars rookie standings: 2026 Melbourne SuperSprint