Allen and De Silvestro ready to ‘fine tune’ at pivotal pre Bathurst test
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 28 September 2023
The next two days are vital for the Dick Johnson Racing wildcard of Simona De Silvestro and Kai Allen as they drive their new Mustang for the first time together at Queensland Raceway.
Although the #98 wildcard had one test under its belt earlier this month, today and tomorrow will be the first time both drivers get to share the experience in person.
Super2 rookie Allen was on his own on September 4 with De Silvestro’s arrival in Australia delayed due to sudden surgery for appendicitis.
Although the absence of the Porsche Formula E test driver and veteran of three full-time Supercars seasons was not ideal, it has not been too much of a setback.
Allen brushed aside any concerns, stating he and De Silvestro are “gelling very well” having spent time together in the DJR pits during the Sandown 500 in addition to the Mount Gambier teenager’s time behind the wheel of the Gen3 Mustang.
“She has been great and we are gelling very well,” Allen told AUTO ACTION.
“It is cool just to hang out with her and hear the ideas she has about driving and even little things like driver changes because she has been around for a long time.
“It is all new for me, so I am all ears at the moment absorbing it all and I could not ask much more.”
Although the next two days will have a major say in terms of what direction the #98 team heads at Mount Panorama, Allen can already see similarities in the setup preferences between he and De Silvestro.
“We have been talking a little bit about it and we won’t know exactly until the test day, but the way she drives is pretty similar to me,” he reflected.
“Driver ergo wise we both like the steering wheel and pedals in the same positions which is great to know so we don’t have to waste too much time in the pits.
“The team has a pretty good base setup for the test day which we can use and tweak together.
“I am sure we will learn on the test day so we will wait and see.”
With only Erebus Motorsport testing so close to Mount Panorama, De Silvestro and Allen hope their time at Queensland Raceway can hold them in good stead for their first Great Race together.
Latest podcast: It’s post Sandown and have we got a stack to talk about!
The action off the track at Sandown was just as exciting as the action on it, and we cover it all in our latest podcast! Triple 8 boss Jamie Whincup show everyone he is THE BOSS… Is Tickford set for a leadership shake up, and a new Formula 1 winner, there is plenty to talk about this week.
Listen to our latest podcast episode here or on your podcast app of choice.
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