24 Mar 2011 - 27 Mar 2011
Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne
Broken drive pegs on Jason Richards' Team BOC car denied everyone a fairytale ending at Albert Park today.
Richards, who is suffering from a rare form of cancer, finished second in yesterday's none-championship race and looked good to go one better today before he retired on lap five.
Team-mate Jason Bright damaged a tyre trying to pass Will Davison and limped home in 10th.
Richards will now focus full-time on his recovery and Jason Bargwanna will return for the Hamilton 400 in three weeks' time.
Jason Richards
Team BOC #14
"It would have been beautiful to stand on the podium, and I had a very real chance today, but the way the race unfolded with the safety car early on went against our strategy.
"I'm disappointed in a micro way. Spearing off at Turn One was not ideal but I got out of the weekend what I came here to get; I got more out of it. I got the energy that I wanted and my fan base is growing from all the supporters here this weekend. It's broken down all the barriers between Ford and Holden and I have to thank everyone for their support. It's been unreal.
"I've had a fantastic weekend; it's been amazing."
Jason Bright
Team BOC #8
"I went to go down the inside of Will Davison; he'd left enough room but as soon as we got on the brakes he shut the door. I was already committed so had to mash the brake pedal pretty hard to avoid a pile up. It destroyed my right-front tyre. There'll be a flat spot on it like never before. I considered pitting but it held in for a lap so I thought I would hold onto the pack in front but ended up more competitive than I thought.
"Having said that, it certainly wasn't as strong as what we've come to expect after Abu Dhabi and Tasmania."
2011 Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix
ALBERT PARK GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT
V8 Supercar – RACE THREE
01 Jamie Whincup, 888
02 Greg Murphy, Kelly Racing
03 Garth Tander, HRT
04 Todd Kelly, Kelly Racing
05 Shane Van Gisbergen, SBR
06 Michael Caruso, GRM
07 Tim Slade, JRR
08 Fabian Coulthard, TWR
09 James Courtney, HRT
10 Jason Bright, Team BOC
DNF Jason Richards, Team BOC