Bathurst 1000: The race is on and the title picture is evolving
The Bathurst 1000 is shaping up as a drama-filled endurance sprint on Mount Panorama. After a wild start, sporadic showers and evolving strategies, the field has begun to settle into its first hour of racing. Broc Feeney has seized the lead for Red Bull Racing Australia by a shrewd first pitstop—taking less fuel and emerging ahead of Todd Hazelwood and the Shell V-Power Racing Team Ford Mustang that had led early on.
At the 30-lap mark, the top 10 is a mirrored snapshot of a tight matchup on a famously challenging circuit. Most drivers have switched into race pace, with only a handful still to take a turn behind the wheel, including defending Bathurst champion Brodie Kostecki. The early exchanges have amplified the stakes: position and fuel parity will be as important as raw speed when the race comes under the most intense late-stage pressure.
Strategic chess in the first hours
The race is a marathon by Mount Panorama standards, but the 161-lap format demands a sprint mindset from the start. The co-drivers, who must log a minimum of 60 laps, add another layer of strategy. Teams are juggling who will drive the opening stints, who will steer in the critical final third, and how to balance reliability with pace as the weather mood shifts.
The weather forecast has been a constant variable this weekend. Sunday started sunny, but dark clouds rolled in, bringing the likelihood of rain that can dramatically alter grip levels and overtaking opportunities. Teams now face decisions about tyre choices and pit timing as showers flirt with the track. In such moments, the ability to adapt to changing conditions becomes a major differentiator.
Motor racing’s old and new dynamics on the mountain
Mount Panorama is no longer a simple endurance race in the traditional sense. With the V8 Supercar fleet built for durability and the circuit’s relentless tempo, teams often treat Bathurst as a prolonged sprint. The early laps are crucial: establishing a favorable position can pay off when six hours later the field is condensed and the finish line feels near yet elusive.
On the start, four Ford Mustangs lined up, and several co-drivers took early shifts as the field sorted itself. One car, however, did not take the start at all—Bryce Fullwood’s Brad Jones Racing entry returned to the garage with gearbox problems, underscoring how technical hiccups can punctuate even a high-prestige event.
Controversy and competitive fire
Leading into the weekend, a controversial assertion from Dick Johnson Racing heightened the build-up around parity between the Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet Camaros. DJR claimed a persistent altitude-related horsepower advantage for the Camaros, citing testing data and arguing that Supercars officials had not fully addressed parity. The dispute underscored how closely teams track performance differentials and how governance and fairness are scrutinized in such a high-stakes round.
Despite the talk, the on-track action remains the primary draw. Kostecki’s pole—and the team’s determination despite ongoing parity disputes—has kept fans on edge. As the race progresses, we’re likely to hear more from teams about strategy, reliability, and who will claim the first major crown of the season at Bathurst.
Key facts to know for fans tuning in
- When does Bathurst start? In New South Wales, 11:45am AEDT; other regions adjust accordingly.
- Where to watch? Channel Seven and Kayo Sports provide live coverage.
- Distance and duration: The race is 161 laps on the 6.213km Mount Panorama circuit, roughly six hours in typical conditions.
- Weather outlook: Rain is forecast, with periods of reduced grip likely affecting strategy and safety decisions.
As the Mount Panorama clouds shift and the pit stops continue, the question remains: who will be crowned Bathurst’s king this year? The early pace and strategic gambles have already signaled a dramatic fight to the finish, and fans are sure to be treated to a finish that could live long in the memory of this iconic endurance event.
