Tempers have threatened to boilover between two of the biggest Bathurst 1000 contenders, after reigning series champion Shane van Gisbergen demanded his rival “calm the f*** down”.
But Chaz Mostert’s team didn’t let the insult slide, instead taking to social media with a cheeky dig aimed at the 2022 series leader.
“Hello pot. Meet kettle,” Walkinshaw Andretti United tweeted.
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Van Gisbergen was locked in a battle for positions four to six behind Brodie Kostecki and reigning Bathurst champ Chaz Mostert on lap 37.
With Kostecki battling after an earlier overheating issue, Mostert got down the inside at Forrest’s Elbow and looked to have the turnout pace to jump up to fourth.
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But Kostecki’s exit was better than expected and as the cars flew down Conrod Straight at 300km/h, he had van Gisbergen absolutely riding him from behind as Mostert was forced to yield heading through the chase, dropping back to sixth.
“That was absolutely out of control,” commentator Neil Crompton said.
“It was fists on down the main straight.”
Mark Skaife said van Gisbergen simply “latched on” to Kostecki and then “punched on” after moving up to fifth.
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“They are bumping each other at 300km/h!” he said.
In response to the drama, van Gisbergen got on the team radio and was heard stating: “can someone tell Chaz that there are 125 laps to go if he could calm the f*** down”.
As van Gisbergen started to pull away from the pack, Mostert was left clearly frustrated behind Kostecki as Richie Stanaway then joined the battle.
“There’s going to be some aggro here at some point,” Skaife warned.
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“This has been going for lap after lap after lap.”
Mostert, who clearly has the pace over Kostecki’s car, tried everything he could to put the younger opponent off – even repeatedly flashing his lights.
“Chaz is on the radio complaining about Kostecki blocking,” Crompton reported.
Team co-owner Zak Brown said he was confident Mostert could keep his cool.
“I think a couple of cars in front he’s got more pace than,” he said.
“But he’s playing it smart. There’s a long way to go.”
