Flying Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen has claimed a third straight win at Albert Park after emerging from a drama-charged race three of the V8 Supercars’ non-championship round at the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday.

He was never headed in the 12-lap sprint, finishing half a second ahead of fellow Holden driver Fabian Coulthard and series leader Craig Lowndes.

Pole-sitter Van Gisbergen’s pace ensured he was well clear of the race’s major incident on the opening lap.

Ford young gun Chaz Mostert was turned around by Holden’s Garth Tander and then sensationally T-boned by Holden’s Dale Wood.

Both Mostert and Wood were part of the four-car contingent that failed to finish the third race.

Five-time champion Jamie Whincup was seventh in a worrying sign ahead of the next official championship round in Tasmania from March 28-30.

Van Gisbergen had already earned comparisons with Whincup from three-time V8 champion Lowndes after dominating the opening two races.

And his opinion is not likely to change after van Gisbergen again taking control in Melbourne on Saturday.

No one doubted van Gisbergen’s talent but the jury was out on how he would handle an ongoing off-field battle.

In late 2012 the flying Kiwi sensationally retired at 23 after his former Ford team became Mercedes’ Erebus Motorsport.

Barely a month later van Gisbergen backtracked and signed with Holden’s Tekno Autosports earning the ire of the cashed up Erebus team.

He was then threatened with legal action that looked set to prevent him from racing.

Fast forward a year and van Gisbergen is still racing but admits nothing has changed off track in what he dubs a game of “legal tennis” between himself and the Erebus team.

Unconscionable Conduct proceedings were formally instigated in the Federal Court by Erebus in mid-2013.

The court is reportedly continuing to gather evidence from concerned parties.

The fourth and final V8 race in Melbourne will be held from 1315 AEDT on Sunday.