Brown explains reality check, defends Feeney

Will Brown has opened up on Red Bull Ampol Racing's unusual run of form across Darwin and Townsville, but is adamant they are not too far off the mark.

For the first time since 2006, Triple Eight haven't recorded a podium across a six-race span, with the team losing pit lane priority to Penrite Racing, and Broc Feeney also losing the lead of the drivers' championship.

Historically, this year also represents Triple Eight's lowest win and podium percentage to this point of a season since 2016. However, it's worth noting that Shane van Gisbergen finished on the podium in the last 10 races of 2016 to win his first title.

But whilst they had a proven package in a VF Commodore to sort out in 2016, this year is a much different challenge, having to sort out a Ford Mustang whilst also providing homologation support to Ford.

With teams like Penrite Racing, Dick Johnson Racing, and Tickford all having three-year head starts, it has been anything but business as usual for the 13-time teams' champions.

But there is hope for Brown, having seen Feeney wring the neck of his #88 Ford to keep it in the points lead between Christchurch and Townsville.

"To be honest, Broc had a pretty good start to the season. Darwin, obviously a tough round, and then here, to not be that far behind and still second in the championship, it shows that his first part of the season was actually pretty strong," said Brown on his Lucky Dogs podcast.

"He did have a DNF as well at Grand Prix, which obviously it's not a lot of points because of four races, I think it's about 75 points for a race win, so he lost a few points down there.

"Obviously that's a big thing for us no matter what. You're always going to say 'it is what it is' and all these things, but to lose the teams' championship lead and the driver's championship lead in the team is pretty disappointing.

"Definitely got work to do there."

With Finals looming ever larger, Triple Eight can ill-afford their current stumble, which has seen the momentum of the season shift firmly towards the likes of Penrite, Brodie Kostecki, and Cam Waters.

However, when they get on top of things, they have proven several times that they are still a threat in 2026, whilst Brown has been noticeably improving through the year.

But, in shades of 2025, qualifying speed was non-existent for the #888 in Townsville, recording starts of 19th, 12th, and 19th, the middle of which could've been a Shootout berth had it not been for a strategic tyre gamble.

"It was one of those weekends where we felt like we were ragging it, and we were five tenths off the pace," added Brown.

"Especially when Waters did a 12.5 in the last qualifying, that was a very big lap, and sometimes when your car's amazing and you're feeling good, and you go and do one of those laps or a race, you feel like it's easy.

"Then you're in the car absolutely wheeling it, and you're P19. So it's a bit disappointing."

Engineer Andrew Edwards confessed on the Equip Super Cool Down Lap that there was an air of expectation that they would claim silverware in Townsville.

When asked if he felt they were making steady progression, Edwards responded: “I did up until this weekend.

“I mean, I really came here thinking that we were on for top three, top four. And that feels like it took a little bit of a step back.

“We’ll regroup again… it’s all on us. We're working at it, and heads down. There's nothing else we can do really.”

Gap to Finals: Will Brown