The opening race of the 2017 Supercars Championship season wasn’t smooth sailing for everyone and two drivers in particular were the subject of a post-race investigation after a coming together at turn 4 on lap 44 of the 78 lap event, Jamie Whincup and Mark Winterbottom.
According to Whincup, Winterbottom was at fault for the incident as he should have given the red Bull Holden more room to complete the move…
“I had a nice touch up with Frosty (Mark Winterbottom), there's nothing I could have done there, he should have given me more room and I feel like he turned himself around,’ Jamie said after the race.
However, the Deputy Race Director Michael Masi, conducted an Investigation into the Incident between the two racers and determined that the matter did not warrant being referred to the Stewards. This was because the evidence did not establish to his satisfaction that either driver was wholly or predominantly to blame for the Incident. Both drivers were notified of his determination and no protest was received.
"I thought I left Whincup enough room to be on the inside of me and not go too wide to the next one but then I got turned around and it was game over from there,” Frosty said. “Probably should have finished fourth and got a solid result but we finished 15th and struggled to the end. Not our day but we'll try again."
Qualifying for race two is currently underway in what appear to be a little cooler conditions.
