chaz mostert

Chaz Mostert’s Gold Coast Glory: A Thrilling Weekend That Shook Supercars

The roar of engines, the smell of burning rubber, and the electric atmosphere of a street circuit — the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 delivered all that and more in 2025. At the heart of the weekend’s drama was Chaz Mostert, the 31-year-old Queensland native and Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU) ace, who delivered a masterclass in racing strategy, nerve, and sheer determination. But the weekend wasn’t just about champagne and podiums — it was marked by a chaotic crash that hospitalised photographers, a last-lap showdown, and a championship-defining double win that could reshape the 2025 Repco Supercars Championship.

Let’s break down the weekend that had fans, rivals, and media buzzing — and why Chaz Mostert’s performance is more than just another victory.

The Weekend That Had It All: Wins, Crashes, and Championship Implications

A Double Victory on the Streets of Surfers Paradise

Chaz Mostert didn’t just win — he dominated. In the inaugural Supercars finals format, Mostert secured a back-to-back victory at the Gold Coast 500, becoming the first driver to claim both Saturday and Sunday races in the new playoff-style series.

On Saturday, Mostert won an action-packed 85-lap race on the tight, bumpy, and unforgiving Surfers Paradise street circuit. According to The Age, the race was a “nasty crash-marred opener,” but Mostert “saluted in first finals race” with a calculated, patient drive that saw him overtake multiple leaders. Starting from the second row, he executed a flawless one-lap undercut during the first pit cycle, jumping Thomas Randle’s Tickford Mustang and setting his sights on the front.

Then came Sunday — and the stakes were sky-high. With the top eight drivers advancing to the Semi-Final, the pressure was on. Mostert, starting third, once again used strategic pit timing to leapfrog Broc Feeney, who had started on pole and led early. By the second round of stops, Mostert had taken the lead and was forced to fend off a relentless Feeney in the final laps.

“It was a grandstand finish,” reported Supercars.com. “Mostert, who won on Saturday, overhauled Feeney through the second round of stops, and was forced to stave off the championship leader in a dramatic penultimate lap.”

The final margin? Just 0.8 seconds. It was a heart-stopping end to a weekend that saw Mostert secure two wins, a guaranteed spot in the Semi-Final, and a massive boost to his championship hopes.

The Crash That Overshadowed the Podium

But not everything was celebratory.

During one of the weekend’s support races, a high-speed crash sent debris flying into the media area, hospitalising multiple photographers. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the incident occurred during a support category race, when a car lost control and clipped the barriers near the pit lane entrance.

“Photographers were injured after a crash at the Gold Coast 500,” confirmed the ABC. “Emergency services responded quickly, and those affected were taken to hospital for treatment.”

The incident cast a shadow over the weekend, sparking renewed debate about safety protocols in street circuits, especially for media personnel working in high-risk zones. While no official details have been released about the extent of injuries, the event has already prompted discussions within Supercars about enhanced barrier protection and media zone reconfiguration.

Recent Updates: What We Know (and What’s Still Unclear)

Here’s a verified timeline of the key events based on official sources:

• Saturday, 25 October 2025:
• Chaz Mostert wins the first race of the Gold Coast 500 finals, leading a chaotic 85-lap race.
• A support race crash injures multiple photographers; ABC confirms hospitalisations.

• Mostert praises the team: “We nailed the strategy. The car was a weapon.”

• Sunday, 26 October 2025:

• Mostert wins Race 2, holding off Broc Feeney in a last-lap thriller.
• The top eight drivers advance to the Semi-Final at Sandown.
• Supercars releases a statement: “Safety is our top priority. We are reviewing the incident and will work with all stakeholders to improve protocols.”

• Mostert becomes the first driver to win both races in the finals format, guaranteeing his spot in the next round.

• Post-Race (26–27 October):

• WAU celebrates a 1-2 finish in the team standings for the weekend.
• Mostert climbs to third in the championship, just 120 points behind Feeney.
• Media and fan reactions highlight the drama, danger, and brilliance of the weekend.

Note: While additional details about Mostert’s pit strategy, Feeney’s performance, and the crash mechanics come from supplementary sources, they are presented here with context and attribution. The core facts — the wins, the hospitalisations, the Semi-Final advancement — are confirmed by ABC, Supercars, and The Age.

Who Is Chaz Mostert? The Man Behind the Wheel

To understand the significance of Mostert’s performance, it helps to know the driver himself.

Born on 10 April 1992 in Toowoomba, Queensland, Chaz Michael Mostert is one of Australia’s most decorated and respected Supercars drivers. A former karting prodigy, he dominated the Australian Formula Ford Championship and made a splash in the Dunlop Series, claiming a pole position and podium on debut.

Now 31, Mostert drives the No. 25 Ford Mustang GT for Walkinshaw Andretti United, one of the most iconic teams in Supercars history. His career stats speak volumes:

• 21 race wins
• 87 podium finishes
• Two-time Bathurst 1000 winner (2014, 2021)
• 2014 Supercars Championship runner-up

But despite his success, a drivers’ championship title has eluded him — until now.

Mostert is known for his calm under pressure, strategic mind, and ability to extract maximum performance from the car. He’s also a fan favourite, often described as a “cult hero” in the Supercars community — not just for his skill, but for his humility and connection with fans.

“This sport is so brutal,” Mostert said after Saturday’s win, referencing the pressure of the new finals format. “One mistake, and it’s over. But today, we got it right.”

Why This Weekend Matters: The Bigger Picture

The New Finals Format: A Make-or-Break System

The 2025 season introduced a radical new finals system, inspired by global motorsport formats like F1’s sprint weekends and NASCAR’s playoffs. The top 10 drivers after the regular season advance to a three-round knockout series:

1. Eliminator Round (Gold Coast) – Top 8 advance
2. Semi-Final (Sandown) – Top 4 advance
3. Grand Final (Adelaide) – Winner takes all

Mostert’s double win at Gold Coast wasn’t just impressive — it was strategically crucial. By winning both races, he guaranteed his spot in the Semi-Final, regardless of future results. This gives WAU and Mostert a huge advantage in terms of preparation, car setup, and psychological edge.

Meanwhile, drivers like Shane van Gisbergen and Cam Waters face elimination if they don’t perform at Sandown — a stark reminder of how unforgiving the new format is.

Safety in Street Circuits: A Growing Concern

The photographer crash has reignited a long-standing debate about safety in street circuits. Unlike permanent tracks, street circuits are temporary, often with tight barriers, limited runoff areas, and media zones close to the track.

While Supercars has made significant improvements over the years — including SAFER barriers, advanced medical response, and improved track design — the Gold Coast incident shows that **risk