Reigning Supercars champion Will Brown is staring down the barrel of an early championship exit after a disastrous qualifying miscalculation at Sandown Raceway on Sunday, leaving him with a mountain to climb in the 250km race.
A Costly Gamble in the Rain
The 27-year-old's title defence was thrown into jeopardy following a fatal strategic error during a rain-affected qualifying session. Brown made the critical decision to pit his car, operating under the assumption that the rain would continue to fall. The showers, however, proved fickle, leaving him stranded in the garage as the track conditions improved for his rivals.
This miscalculation means Brown will start the crucial final race from a lowly 17th position on the grid, a devastating blow that puts him at severe risk of being knocked out of the championship contention unless he can produce a spectacular drive through the field.
The Battle for the Final Spots
While Brown faces an uphill battle, the picture is much brighter for some of his rivals. Chaz Mostert has already secured his place in the grand final after a commanding victory in Saturday's race. Meanwhile, Broc Feeney is in a strong position and will only require a solid, clean finish on Sunday to progress.
This sets up a nail-biting showdown for the remaining two spots in the final. The fierce battle now involves Will Brown, Matt Payne, Kai Allen, and Cam Waters, with Thomas Randle sitting as a distant seventh and a long shot for progression.
Chaos and Regret as Rain Plays Havoc
The unpredictable Melbourne weather was the central character in Saturday's drama, causing chaos throughout the qualifying session. Brown was not the only driver to be caught out, but his error was particularly costly. He cut a despondent figure as he watched the session conclude from his garage, his fate sealed.
Reflecting on the misstep, Brown explained, "Went out on wets at the start ... went to the greens too late, another rain shower came at the back of the straight. Just missed the window. That's about it, really."
Despite the setback, the champion hasn't lost all hope, stating, "I'm confident we can do it (recover) again today. I'm not sure we can get as far up today but we'll try our hardest. Just very disappointing."
The rain returned with a vengeance just before the top-10 shootout, further cruelling drivers' chances for a fair shot at pole position. Bryce Fullwood and Cam Waters both gambled on slick tyres, a decision they immediately regretted as more rain began to fall during their flying laps, compounding a day of weather-induced frustration for the entire field.
All eyes will now be on Brown to see if he can pull off another miraculous comeback or if his Sandown mistake will mark a premature end to his championship defence.
