Will Brown. Image: Supplied
Triple Eight discovered on Tuesday evening that the #888 Ford had been racing with a smaller air restrictor than that specified by the series.
Supercars said the 49mm restrictor, 1mm smaller than homologated, had been loaned only for a pre-event launch and was not intended for racing.
Speaking on his Lucky Dogs Podcast, Brown said he was “in shock” after being informed of the news.
“I’m not really sure just yet how to take it and sort of how to feel right now,” he said.
“It’s one of those things that there’s a little bit of relief, I’d say, in a way, but also not sure whether to be disappointed, angry, or what way.”
Triple Eight had been chasing an answer to a mysterious straight line speed issue with Brown’s car all season.
Brown’s results have fluctuated throughout the year, with the #888 Mustang generally stronger on the tighter, less horsepower-dependent layouts.
Even dyno testing and an engine swap did not reveal the issue as the restrictor itself stays with the car.
The 2024 champion described it as a “very tough year” to date while grappling with self-doubt.
He believes the incorrect part has been costing him 1.5 tenths of a second per lap on average and largely explains his poor results.
“I changed a lot over the off season to try and prepare for this year, with fitness, training, general life, and to get in and try and concentrate,” he said.
“I stepped back from a lot of things to try and concentrate on a big year of racing,
“To have the results we’ve been having… I actually at some stages said I don’t think I have it anymore.
“It was disappointing to obviously hear what’s going on with the car all year.
“I’ve never heard of anything like this before in a category like this in the world… it’s quite crazy.”
Will Brown at Symmons Plains. Image: Supplied
Although wanting answers from Supercars about how the situation could occur, he said Triple Eight needs to shoulder some responsibility.
Brown acknowledged the team betrayed its own motto of ‘Assume Nothing’, which former boss Roland Dane had emblazoned on the workshop wall.
“It’s hard because you want to blame someone as a driver in this situation, but there’s actually no one to blame,” Brown said.
“It’s very hard to point the fingers because yes, Supercars provided a part that you would think you wouldn’t need to check, but you should check it.
“Obviously we didn’t check it, so it’s on us that we didn’t.”
Brown and podcast co-host Brodie Kostecki ran through what impact the 1.5 tenth disadvantage would have had at various circuits.
However, Brown acknowledged it’s not the entire story of his season.
“I’m not at all saying that this is all of our problem,” Brown said.
“I just want to be on an even playing field to everyone else.
“We’ll head to Ipswich, try and put our best foot forward.
“We want to try and win races, but like I say, it’s not saying we’re gonna go win, but we’re gonna have a chance to win now.”