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'A political fight': Ford Mustang teams want more V8 Supercars credit

Two of the biggest names in the V8 Supercars believes the teams running the dominant Ford Mustangs are not getting the credit they deserve.

DJR Team Penske boss Ryan Story and Tickford Racing driver Will Davison, both of whom are running the Mustangs, believe the similarly dominant Holden Commodores of the Triple Eight team last season were given much more credit than they have.

The introduction of the Mustang has been highly criticised, with early concerns over the parity of the cars resulting in enforced changes to the centre of gravity and aerodynamics.

Despite the changes, the Mustangs have remained the most dominant cars in the series, with championship leader Scott McLaughlin winning 12 races so far this season - up from eight all of last year.

Story and Davison appeared on Fox Sports’ The Loud Pedal podcast, revealing that the parts for the latest rule change were only read for their Mustangs on the first day of the most recent round in Western Australia.

“It’s been particularly challenging because it’s been a political fight as much as it has been a scientific fight,” Story said.

“We’ve managed to get through it, the guys have done a terrific job – the new rear-wing endplates didn’t actually arrive until we got to Perth, so the first time we saw them was in Perth because it was a whole new manufacturing process.”

Davison was more overt about what he thought was a lack of respect given to the engineers and drivers of the controversial Mustangs.

His Tickford team struggled in 2018, but have quickly turned things around this season.

Will Davison, driver of the #23 Milwaukee Racing Ford Mustang. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Will Davison, driver of the #23 Milwaukee Racing Ford Mustang. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

“It has been disappointing because in some aspects it’s so clear that the teams are running well and just doing a sensational job,” he said.

“Now we’re just seeing a Mustang which has been built incredibly well and you’ve got, in the likes of DJR Team Penske, right at the top of their game and Tickford doing a good job as well.

“We’ve got a bit to improve but it has taken away from the job they’re doing as a team. It has been disappointing but it is what it is.

“It’s been a bit annoying. I keep reading that ‘all six Mustangs are up there’. It’s not six Mustangs from six different teams.

“It goes without saying that the DJR Team Penske guys are incredibly fast – that’s no surprise – and it’s four from our stable, four very quality drivers and a quality team.

“In our sport if a team’s got an advantage with their cars since when aren’t they 123?

“How many times have we seen Jamie (Whincup), Shane (van Gisbergen) and Craig (Lowndes) lockout the podium a long way in front?”