Cooper Webster on top as S5000 championship leader Mawson penalised
Cooper Webster took out race two of the S5000 weekend at Phillip Island as leader Joey Mawson was penalised.
Cooper Webster took victory in race two of the S5000 weekend at Phillip Island. (Stan Sport)
Webster had the best start from second on the grid but fell afoul of Mawson at the safety car restart, as he stretched the legs in the #1 car from the lead.
There was late-race drama with Mawson under investigation for his move on Webster at the restart, with the 88Racing/Team BRM driver copping a five-second penalty as he crossed the line.
The championship leader was knocked out of the podium positions, with Webster onto the top step followed by James Golding and Aaron Cameron.
"The start I nailed today, back to where I should have been with the starts yesterday," said Webster.
"I nailed that and got a gap. It was a bit tricky because we're not used to the conditions today, it was a bit different, it was slippery."
"I was happy with my driving at the start of the race and was pulling away and the safety car came out, which made it a bit more difficult."
"Joey made a mistake on his behalf, and you just can't do those things."
Mawson started on pole after taking victory in race one on Saturday, but suffered wheelspin off the line as Webster surged ahead from second on the grid.
The lead was tightly contested, with the lead pack of Webster, Mawson, James Golding, and Aaron Cameron almost inseparable around the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit once again.
Winston Smith found the gravel on the outside of turn two and brought out the safety car, with Mawson tight on the tail of Webster at the restart.
The championship leader sailed through into the lead at turn one, but the move would prove to be his downfall, penalised for overlapping Webster's car before crossing the control line to resume racing.
"In the moment I thought I made a mistake on my behalf," said Webster of the overtake.
"I wasn't aware of it until I saw the black flag come out, and then I just had to hold off Jimmy to secure the win."
Golding held off intense pressure from GRM teammate Aaron Cameron at the restart to catch the rear of the lead pair, using push-to-pass to put pressure on Webster throughout the final stage of the race.
When the clock ticked down it was Mawson ahead of Webster and Golding, with Mawson down to fourth in the final results after his five-second penalty.
The S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship returns for the final race of the weekend later on Sunday.
2023 S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship - Phillip Island Race 2
- Cooper Webster
- James GOlding
- Aaron Cameron
- Joey Mawson
- Blake Purdie
- Nic Carroll
- Jordan Boys
- Mark Rosser
- Winston Smith
