TWO years running, Matt Stone Racing has stormed to victory on the world stage that is the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix support card.

In 2024 it was on F1 race day as Nick Percat outduelled a two-pronged Triple Eight attack for a stunning victory.

Twelve months ago, MSR was rather dominant, headlined by a 1-2 for Cameron Hill and Percat on the Friday.

That remains the Yatala team’s most recent victory. In fact, the past two Albert Park visits account for more than half of MSR’s total podiums (i.e. five of nine).

Part of the MSR mission for 2026 has been to flatten out its tendency for major peaks and troughs, but can it strike again this week at Albert Park with its rejigged driver line-up of Jack Le Brocq and Zach Bates?

“This championship is so competitive and it changes so much in 12 months that anyone who thinks they’re going to roll in with what they had last year and have the same results is kidding themselves,” team owner Matt Stone told V8 Sleuth.

To that end, you probably only need to look at Sydney Motorsport Park, where Cam Waters went from winning every race from pole in 2025 to failing to qualify inside the top five at any point last month.

“So, we’re not bullish going in there,” Stone continued.

“We like the track, we understand the track. We’re going to go there and we’re going to try to have a repeat of last year with more, but by no means are we going to be overconfident because this championship is just so competitive.

Matt Stone Racing celebrates its 1-2. Pic: Supplied/Mark Horsburgh

“But we’re excited going into it and looking forward to seeing what we can do.”

Stone believes that his team’s double Top 10 Shootout appearance on the Sunday at Sydney was proof of progress at that venue, which might bode well for a happier hunting ground in Melbourne.

He also revealed “we gave ourselves a big kick in the arse” after a sloppy Saturday qualifying on the Car #4 side, which was in part attributed to ironing out the kinks associated with an off-season reshuffle of personnel.

“That’s our leeway for the year, so from here on out, no more mistakes,” said Stone.

Le Brocq holds seventh in the points after Round 1, while Bates is 16th despite having starred in qualifying mode.