SURE, there’s only been two rounds, but the alternative format used at Albert Park means a quarter of Supercars’ qualifying sessions have already been run and done.
That means there’s an early chance to get a read on how various teammates are matching up and if any internal upper hands are starting to emerge.
V8 Sleuth runs through the head-to-head qualifying records at each team after the season’s first six opportunities.
Triple Eight Race Engineering: Broc Feeney 4, Will Brown 2
Broc Feeney has been the category’s premier qualifier thus far in 2024, with an unrivalled 2.83 average, not to mention being the only driver with multiple pole positions.
Will Brown hasn’t been far away though, putting himself in a position to still be leading the championship.
Grove Racing: Matt Payne 5, Richie Stanaway 1
After being outqualified by Richie Stanaway at the very first opportunity, Matt Payne has been the lead Penrite Mustang on the starting grid in five successive races.
That included a pair of front-row starts at Albert Park, although clashes with rival Ford drivers cost him any chance of converting.
Team 18: David Reynolds 4, Mark Winterbottom 2
Mark Winterbottom stole the show with a podium at Albert Park, but David Reynolds has tended to be the quicker of the two over a single lap – especially at Bathurst.
Matt Stone Racing: Nick Percat 4, Cameron Hill 2
Nick Percat is on an impressive roll, but don’t forget Cameron Hill started his second season by qualifying and finishing top five in Race 1 at Bathurst.
Erebus Motorsport: Jack Le Brocq 4, Todd Hazelwood 2
JLB was on the back foot early after a mechanical issue sidelined him from the first practice session of the year, but he’s rebounded nicely to stamp his authority as Erebus’ probable leader.
However, the return of Brodie Kostecki in Hazelwood’s place for Taupō effectively resets this metric for Erebus.
It’ll be fascinating to see how Le Brocq matches up against the reigning champion, with Kostecki rolling into the New Zealand round with just one day behind the wheel of a Supercar since clinching last year’s title.
Walkinshaw Andretti United: Chaz Mostert 6, Ryan Wood 0
Trying to show up well against Chaz Mostert continues to be a daunting task.
Rookie Ryan Wood has shown some really good signs of having serious speed and still is six-nil down – the only such case in the field.
Tickford Racing: Cam Waters 4, Thomas Randle 2
A tale of two halves here. Battling illness, Cam Waters was nowhere to be seen at Bathurst but he was back to being his usual speedy self at Albert Park.
PremiAir Racing: Tim Slade 3, James Golding 3
This is the only teammate battle where the scores are level.
Brad Jones Racing: Bryce Fullwood 4, Andre Heimgartner 2, Macauley Jones 0, Jaxon Evans 0
Bryce Fullwood did a good job of getting closer to Andre Heimgartner last year and he’s often been ahead this year, as the Kiwi has particularly struggled with BJR’s braking woes.
For the record, if you take the lead garage out of play, Macauley Jones versus Jaxon Evans is three apiece.
Dick Johnson Racing: Anton De Pasquale 5, Will Davison 1
Anton De Pasquale has started every race inside the top half of the field but is buried 21st in the championship.
It’s been the opposite for Will Davison, who hasn’t had an easy time in qualifying but has maximised in races to be 10th in the points.
Blanchard Racing Team: James Courtney 4, Aaron Love 2
James Courtney is leading the way as expected, but Aaron Love has been there or thereabouts on pace.
