Reynolds’ mixed feelings on Australian Grand Prix

After a solid Team 18 debut, David Reynolds heads to Albert Park ready for the new challenges that await.

Whilst the veteran loves the feeling of racing in front of some of the biggest racing crowds in the world, he is not so much of a fan of the unique race formats.

The condensed schedule and lack of pit lane means that for the first time in a long time there will not be a single required pit stop for the entire race weekend.

The longest of the four races 20 laps on Thursday and Friday, while the weekend races are just 14 laps.

Although no-stop sprints have been a staple of Supercars at the Australian Grand Prix even since it became a championship event in 2018, at least two of the races had a compulsory tyre change, while all four did last year.

It may be the first full race weekend without a compulsory stop since the trip to Calder Park all the way back in August 2001.

Reynolds admitted he is not looking forward to the prospect of racing without any pit strategy with the added onus on maximising the short-sharp qualifying sessions.

“It’s the first time in a long time that we haven’t had pit stop races for the Grand Prix, which I’m kind of not looking forward to because it puts a highlight on qualifying which will set up the rest of our races,” he said. 

“If you can qualify well, you’ll probably race well, because the laps are too short to make any difference. 

“Where before, when we had pit stops, you could sort of have a different strategy, pit early, pit late, or throw in a bit of weather, but now it’s just back to sprint races.

“It goes back to what we all started with in Carrera Cup and Formula Ford.”

However, he is a big fan of the sweeping street circuit and the feeling of racing at a Grand Prix.

In the first points paying trip to the Australian Grand Prix, Reynolds performed by dominating the fourth and final race of the 2018 round.

“The Grand Prix is a really big event for us with huge exposure on the world stage being part of a Formula One weekend which is fantastic for Supercars,” Reynolds said.

“The track’s fun to drive, there’s always big crashes, and with no pit stops and short races there’s a huge emphasis on qualifying and it’s a championship round for us, so the points do matter for us to perform well.

“I love going to the Grand Prix. It’s one of my favourite events of the year. 

“I’ve won races there before, been on pole a few times and had a lot of success there. It’s a very difficult track to get your car in the window, but it feels amazing once you sort of get in the window and you can do a good lap.”

Supercars will conduct practice, qualifying and race sessions on Thursday alone at the Grand Prix.

There’s lots more loaded into a bumper edition of AUTO ACTION magazine, on sale at newsagents and available digitally here.

For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.