Ambrose improves on V8s return

For a man more accustomed to lifting V8 Supercars trophies than scrapping for a top-10 finish, a 12th-place finish shouldn’t have satisfied Marcos Ambrose.

His last drive around the Adelaide street circuit in 2005 brought two race wins.

But these are different times for Ambrose, who returned to the championship at the Clipsal 500 after a nine-year stay in Nascar.

As the sole driver for DJR Team Penske, the Tasmanian is representing legendary motorsport men from two continents – Dick Johnson and Roger Penske.

The pair have made clear their low expectations for the two-time title winner as the new team finds its feet.

Penske said a top-half championship finish would satisfy him in his first year of investment in Australian motorsport.

But after three races around the Adelaide street circuit, they may need to up their ambition.

Ambrose struggled on Saturday, qualifying 24th and finishing 16th in both races.

A “good night’s rest” in his own words seemed to do the trick for the 38-year-old, who stole a place in the top-10 shootout with a late flying lap, becoming the fastest Ford in the process.

His time was good enough for ninth to the delight of team boss Roger Penske and the sentimental Adelaide crowd.

The two-time Supercars champion said he was surprised to be there.

“I forgot there was a top ten shootout, I was just trying to not be last,” he said.

Ambrose threw his car at qualifying, gaining air over the turn two chicane and having a brush with the wall on the cool-down lap.

Looking at his scratched door in the pit-lane, Ambrose could only laugh.

“I wasn’t paying any attention to what I was doing,” he said.

“I was really flustered after the lap … I just didn’t turn.”

After a helter-skelter race where pit-stop strategy was key, Ambrose emerged in 12th place – where he also sits in the championship.

The perfectionist in Ambrose that made him a success in Nascar came out after the race.

We really did have a top 10 car today,” he said.

“Our fuel strategy did not work as we put in more than we needed to and it tumbled us down the order a bit too far.

“The qualifying this morning was a big lift to me and the team.

“All in all a great start for us.

“We will lick our wounds a bit, have a good think about the weekend and really use the Grand Prix to further develop the package and team and head to Symmons Plains for Round 2.”

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!