Mostert predicts strategic battle at Phillip Island

Supercars has opted for a pair of 250-kilometre races at The Island this weekend, a shift away from the traditional supersprint format.

The Victorian circuit is notoriously hard on tyres, so even running on the soft Dunlop control tyre – which is the harder of the two compounds used in the series – tyre degradation is expected to be an issue over that distance.

According to Mostert the degradation issue will make strategy crucial during this weekend’s races, which he says is a good thing based on the strategic masterstroke that saw him lead on Sunday in Tasmania before running wide in tricky conditions.

"I'm looking forward to giving this event a red hot crack,” said Mostert, who is sitting sixth in the standings right behind teammate Cameron Waters.

“They're two long races but I think that could be good for us. [Engineer] Adam [Deborre] and the guys gave us an awesome strategy in Tasmania so if we can pull something out of the hat again and have speed similar to what we did I think we can keep improving.

“I’ve got a few things to focus on myself this weekend to stay consistent but it should be a good weekend."

Jason Bright agreed with his PRA teammate, hinting at intriguing finishes as different strategies start to pan out late in the races.

“Everyone has been getting used to the new tyre and we've had a very wet weekend down in Tasmania so it's certainly been a different start to the year and going to Phillip Island, 250 kilometres on a track like that, it is certainly a different format to what we're used to,” said the veteran.

“I think tyre life is going to be key. It's going to be interesting to see how it pans out. It's not like the normal places that we have 250-kay races, which are all street circuits.

“So I think it will be good race strategy wise because you will see some guys coming home pretty strong."