Le Brocq missing strategy game

Jack Le Brocq wishes pit stops were still a factor at this weekend’s Melbourne SuperSprint in Albert Park.

Whilst there is 50km more racing amid the traditional four-race schedule at the Australian Grand Prix round, there is a big difference in 2024.

Due to F2 and F3 taking over the garages and sharing the pit lane with Formula 1, Supercars has been relegated to support status.

All teams have been forced to setup Super2 style makeshift garages in a small paddock area on the inside of turn 14.

As a result teams do not have the resources to perform full blown pit stops with only one rattle gun allowed in the lane.

All four races are flat out sprints to the flag with no compulsory stop, making this possibly the first full race championship weekend without pits since Calder Park 2001.

Le Brocq admitted he does miss the “extra element” of racing.

“The race was quite interesting because it was a long way to go on one set of tyres but pit stops are always great, especially with our category because it gives an extra element of strategy,” he told AUTO ACTION.

“I do miss it and think that is what Supercars racing is about, having that element to it.

“But that is what we have got and we put on a pretty good show still.”

In Thursday’s opening race, Le Brocq was able to emerge from some wild racing 10th after starting 13th.

With an improved starting position of seventh for today’s race 5 of the championship, Le Brocq knows a similar performance could propel him to a possible maiden podium with Erebus.

He is confident the #9 has the race pace as he continues to adjust to the new environment.

“We have really good race pace,” Le Brocq said.

“We got shuffled back a couple of times yesterday amid the chaos so it was a very interesting race and we were just holding on

“It is very dirty off line which made it very difficult 

“(But) we have a really fast race car so hopefully we can move forward and get a good result.”

With slightly warmer track temperatures, Le Brocq also believes there could be more tyre degradation with the soft compound today after it was not really a factor on Thursday evening with both Triple Eight drivers setting their fastest times on the final lap.

“We were pretty right as well with good speed at the end considering we did a lot of passing and sliding around,” he said.

“It might be different today with the UV out there being warmer so there might be more deg today then yesterday.”

Supercars only on track action on Friday is at 14.55 AEDT.

Image: Motorsport Images

Supercars Australian Grand Prix schedule

Thursday, March 21

Practice 1: 1: M. Jones 2: M. Payne 3: C. Waters

Practice 2: 1 B. Feeney 2: C. Waters 3: A. De Pasquale

Qualifying R3 Qualifying R4 Poles B. Feeney, C. Waters

Race 3: 1: B. Feeney 2: W. Brown 3: M. Payne

Friday, March 22

Race 4 (20 laps): 14.50-15.35

Saturday, March 23

Qualifying R5: 09.00-09.15

Qualifying R6: 09.25-09.40

Race 5 (14 laps): 17.35-18.10

Sunday, March 24

Race 6 (14 laps): 10.20-10.55

Don’t forget the latest issue of Auto Action available via subscription here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – the only place you’ll get to read the full story. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.