How a 1mm error had Supercars champ driving a slower car all season

Supercars and Triple Eight Race Engineering are addressing the revelation that 2024 champion Will Brown competed throughout the season with an engine airflow restrictor that was one millimeter smaller than specified. This technical oversight meant Brown's Ford Mustang was underpowered for the entire 25-race season.

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After Perth we promised Will, his crew and all stakeholders associated with Car #888, which includes our beloved fans, that we would leave no stone unturned and find reasons why Car #888 has not been fighting for race wins recently.

Team principal Jamie Whincup stated that following a disappointing performance in Perth, the team investigated and discovered the significant issue with Car #888. The undersized restrictor, a component that manages airflow into the engine, directly impacted performance and lap times. Whincup emphasized that this part is supplied by Supercars and is intended to be identical for all Ford Mustangs.

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At 7pm [Tuesday] night we found a significant issue on Car #888.

Whincup explained that the incorrect component cost Brown approximately 0.15 seconds per lap, contributing to his struggles for pace and resulting in only two podium finishes and one pole position over 25 races, while his teammate Broc Feeney achieved five wins in similar machinery. The team has taken responsibility for the error and issued a deep apology to all stakeholders, including fans.

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Since the start of this season, Car #888 has been running with an undersized engine airflow restrictor. This part manages the airflow into the engine and has a significant negative impact on engine performance, and therefore lap time.

Supercars acknowledged the situation, confirming that the 1mm undersized air restrictor was loaned to Triple Eight Race Engineering for demonstration purposes at a team launch in February. However, the component remained fitted to Car 888 through the Perth Super 440 event. Neither party identified the discrepancy until it was discovered by Triple Eight Race Engineering during preparations. The team is now focused on rolling out a new chassis for Car #888 and aims to compete with equal horsepower.

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This is not a part we, Triple Eight or Red Bull Ampol Racing, manufacture. This is a supplied part from Supercars expected to be the same for all 11 Ford Mustangs, distributed at the start of the season and expected to be run for the whole season.