The dramatic late-race heartbreak at Mount Panorama continues to leave deep scars for Anton De Pasquale ahead of this weekend's crucial motorsport action. Speaking just eight days after running out of fuel while leading on the final lap of the Great Race, the 31-year-old driver offered an honest assessment regarding the heavy fallout within the Melbourne-based squad. The devastating finish meant a guaranteed victory slipped away in the dying moments, instantly shaking the morale inside the garage.
Ahead of the Gold Coast 500 weekend, De Pasquale made no secret of the subdued atmosphere among the mechanics and engineers. However, he was quick to praise the resilience shown by Team 18 in swiftly pivoting their attention forward. The crew immediately turned their focus to servicing the machines and resetting their competitive goals to tackle the upcoming street circuit challenge under the General Motors banner managed by Charlie Schwerkolt.
"The mood is what is expected," De Pasquale said regarding the team's internal climate. "Obviously, the guys got into servicing the cars really quickly, and we reset our goals as quick as possible, which is obviously this weekend. The mood’s not great, but everyone’s still got their eyes on winning some surfboards here and still having a good weekend."
This mental fortitude is heavily tested as De Pasquale currently sits seventh in the championship standings, holding a fragile nine-point buffer above the elimination cut-off line heading into the Semi-Final transition at Sandown. With Surfers Paradise marking the exact venue where his title charge collapsed last season, the stakes could not be higher for the squad as they fight to advance deeper into the Finals Series.
Enduro Cup co-driver Lee Holdsworth voiced his unwavering support following the Bathurst disaster via social media, describing the missed victory as one of sport's toughest pills to swallow while emphasizing the incredible pace of their car. Despite the emotional weight, De Pasquale insisted he refuses to frame the remainder of his championship campaign around a narrative fueled purely by a desire for redemption.
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