Joey Mawson begins 2023 season with S5000 pole position in Tasmania
Joey Mawson began his quest for a third S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship title in top form with unbeatable pace around Symmons Plains in qualifying.
Joey Mawson celebrates his pole position at Symmons Plains. (Daniel Kalisz / ARG)
Mawson led throughout the session, maintaining his lead and going fastest even as the field’s Hoosier tyres came into temperature and times began to drop.
“The front row was what I was aiming for, because P2 is pretty good to start here, with the way the grip is off the line,” said Mawson.
“I really wanted to get pole because this year you get rewarded for being on pole, so qualifying has become more crucial for the championship.”
“A great start to the new partnership between 88Racing and Team BRM.”
The 88Racing driver set a best lap of 0:49.0615s in the final minutes before a red flag brought the session to a halt a lap early.
Behind him, James Golding and Aaron Cameron duelled it out for the remaining spot on the front row, with Golding emerging on top and grabbing second as he found more pace in the closing minutes of the session.
Roberto Merhi was slowly making his way up the field, and pipped Cameron for third with one of his final attempts, despite losing his fastest lap for bringing out the red flag earlier in the session.
Mawson didn’t let the close competition behind him distract him, telling RACEWEEK his focus was on maximising his lap throughout the session.
“I knew we had a car that would be capable of qualifying on the front row, but it was up to me whether I could put the lap together.”
“I managed to get the lap when the tyres peaked, so that’s ultimately what gave me pole position.”
“Starting on the front row, its obviously very positive.”
“We’ll see if we can keep the lead off the line.”
Race one begins at 2.10pm Saturday afternoon, live on Stan Sport and the Nine Network.
2023 S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship - Round One Qualifying
- Joey Mawson
- James Golding
- Roberto Merhi
- Aaron Cameron
- Cooper Webster
- Nic Carroll
- Jordan Boys
- Zane Goddard
- Blake Purdie
- Mark Rosser
