S5000 Midseason review
As the S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship progresses into its 2023 season with three rounds completed, the title race remains dynamic and promises ample excitement for the forthcoming rounds.
The upcoming races are anticipated to provide substantial drama, particularly as the category heads to Sydney Motorsport Park in July for the next showdown.
The initial statement in the championship was made by Joey Mawson, a two-time Gold Star winner, who asserted his dominance in the opening round at AWC Tasmania in February. Mawson outpaced former Formula 1 driver Roberto Merhi in qualifying, subsequently commanding race one and race two, securing his 10th and 11th victories in the series.
With Merhi's absence in the second round at Phillip Island, the spotlight turned to Cooper Webster of Versa Motorsport, who claimed pole position in qualifying. However, Mawson's superiority remained unchallenged as he clinched victory again.
The narrative shifted during Sunday's races, with Webster impressively securing his maiden race win and breaking Mawson's winning streak. The Victorian driver then maintained his momentum, repeating his success in the third race and ultimately capturing his first round victory in the category.
Heading into the Hi-Tec Oils Race Winton, Webster had a golden opportunity to tighten the title race. However, he faced challenges, going fourth fastest in qualifying and struggling to catch up to Mawson's commanding lead in race one. A chaotic race two saw a multi-car collision that further extended Mawson's advantage at the top, ultimately securing him a third win and the round victory ahead of James Golding.
Mawson's dominant performance has earned him a significant lead in the standings, sitting 77 points ahead of Webster in second place, with Golding closely trailing in third and Aaron Cameron following suit.
As the S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship progresses, the intense competition, emerging challengers, and ever-evolving race dynamics are poised to keep enthusiasts engaged as the pursuit of the title continues.
