Supercars 2021 results: Anton De Pasquale tops time sheet in first practice at Sydney Super Sprint

Anton De Pasquale made the most of the wild weather to put Supercars series leader Shane van Gisbergen on notice after topping the times in first practice at the Sydney Super Sprint.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 29: Anton De Pasquale drives the #11 Shell V-Power Racing Ford Mustang during practice ahead of the Sydney SuperNight which is part of the 2021 Supercars Championship, at Sydney Motorsport Park, on October 29, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Anton De Pasquale fired the first shot of the Sydney Super Sprint with the Ford flyer edging out Cameron Waters to set up a showdown with Shane van Gisbergen.

In cyclonic conditions as 80km/h winds hit Sydney Motorsport Park, the Supercars season resumed with de Pasquale winning the first practice to show he will have the pace to take it to series leader van Gisbergen.

Leading his nearest rival by almost 300 points as the first of four back-to-back SMP events began, van Gisbergen led the way until he was knocked off by both Waters and then De Pasquale, who struck to record a lap-time of 1.30.28.

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“It was a good way to start,” De Pasquale said. “Conditions were tough so it is difficult to know where we are really at. It is early days but nice to be up the front.”

The wind and heat conspired to stop the field from setting scorching times but Waters came home to set the second fastest time.

Anton De Pasquale fired the first shot in the Sydney Super Sprint with a slick time in first practice. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“It is hard for the engineers out there,” Waters said.

“The wind caused a bit of havoc and the grip wasn’t great with the heat. I think we need to do a race run to really know where we are at. We will try and work on the balance and stick to our program.”

Ford’s Dave Reynolds is hoping a series of upgrades during the Covid-enforced break will put him into the fight when racing resumes on Saturday.

“We have some new things on the car so I am hoping that will push us forward,” Reynolds said. “We had some issues with our steering before the break and that has certainly been fixed.

“We have also done a bit of work to the engine which will give us some more horsepower. There has been a testing ban but there have still been a lot of things that we have been able to work on. The steering issues I had in Townsville was a big thing and at least now I will be able to finish the race. The engine components should also make a difference.”

Anton De Pasquale topped the timesheet in first practice at Sydney Motorsport Park. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Sitting 15th on the championship ladder, Reynolds is looking to push his way into the top-ten with what he hopes is an improved car.

“I don’t think the teams upfront would have changed too much,” Reynolds said.

“I don’t think they needed to change anything. It is only teams that have been struggling that will have gone about looking for solutions. Hopefully that is the case and we can claw our way back.”

Reynolds had a tough first outing with the Ford driver finishing 18th fastest.

“We had a bit of a gearbox problem and it gave me a funny read with oil spitting out,”

“The new surface was good but the rest of the track was pretty terrible but that is Sydney Motorsport Park and that is just something you have to deal with.”

Originally published as Supercars 2021 results: Anton De Pasquale tops time sheet in first practice at Sydney Super Sprint