CHAZ Mostert has expressed frustration with Ford’s continued tyre life issues despite aero updates.
Mostert and Walkinshaw Andretti United committed to a three-stop strategy – two was the norm – and that helped him to third in Race 1.
WAU had been the most vocal among several Ford teams yesterday expressing concern about the lack of progress made by a pre-Townsville parity tweak.
Despite a better qualifying for the Blue Oval this morning, Mostert doubled down post-race on the continued dissatisfaction.
“The story of the day, the Mustangs just can’t look after their tyres,” Mostert said.
“It was good to get P1 in class.
“I had a good battle at the end there. It was nice to have 10-lap better tyres. Even at the end there, these other two guys just drove away.
“Tough going out here. I’m just glad to get a trophy for the guys. It’s been a disappointing year.
“I’ve been hanging in there the best I can in points, but to try and be in the championship, you obviously need (a Camaro).”
REPORT: Brown wins Townsville opener, snatches title lead
Waters, who came home fifth after an untimely late Safety Car, was a tad more reserved.
“It wasn’t a lot of fun at the end of those stints,” he said.
“That last part of the stint for us, we just had no tyre left. It was interesting. They were bloody loose out there.
“I wasn’t trying to pull away or anything, I was trying to look after the tyre.
“I got 20 laps into that (first) stint and I felt the rears go away and I just started bleeding time. Each stint was a little bit better with the track conditions cooling off, but not enough compared with the other guys.
“We’ll got through all the data. I think our qual car isn’t too bad but we’ll have a think about our race car and what we can do definitely.
“It’s been the story of our season, trying to find a bit of tyre life.”
Race 1 winner Will Brown now holds a 43-point championship lead.
