Kiwi Supercars ace Shane van Gisbergen has slammed the new Gen3 cars being used for the first time during this year's championship, which began at Newcastle over the weekend.
The three-time champion began the defence of his crown with two victories at the New South Wales seaside course, but was stripped of the first, after rival teams complained over his use of dry ice in the car's cooling system.
Van Gisbergen, 33, has protested that decision, but returned to the track the following day to take out the second scheduled race in belligerent fashion, brushing past leader Chaz Mostert in the closing stages.
Afterwards, when asked about his frustrations, he simply responded: "I did my talking on the track."
Still awaiting the result of his protest, van Gisbergen has taken to social media to elaborate on his frustrations over the changes to the cars.
"It's not a secret I haven't been a fan of the way the Gen3 car feels and drives," he posted on Facebook. "Behind closed doors, I've been pretty critical of things and tried to make it better, firstly with feedback to the category in the prototype testing and now with my team trying to make the race spec car to my liking.
"The category seems to think our complaints and gripes with the car will 'make better racing' if we are struggling, and we are told to be positive and show the sport in a good light, which of course I understand the last part. I try to be as neutral as I can with my critiques of the car, I act with the intention of representing the drivers trying to make the car better for everyone."
The new cars are designed for "increased road relevance and improved racing", with the key feature being decreased downforce, making them harder to handle and placing greater reliance on driver skill.
Van Gisbergen insists they play to his strengths - "hard to drive, on edge, hard on tyres" - but still isn't happy with the final product, claiming many drivers struggled with the heat inside the cars.
"I guess I want, not only myself, but all drivers to be getting out of the car raving about how awesome and fun it is to drive. Which is something that's not really happening now."
The Kiwi has adopted a 'nothing nice to say, don't say anything' approach towards media questions and drawn criticism from Supercars legend-turned-commentator Mark Skaife on TV race coverage.
"Although you might not want to make any more comment, you actually have a duty as a custodian of the sport to say what you need to say about the result and what’s gone on today," he said.
"He won't be liking disqualification from yesterday. He's come in today angry about how it is, but there is a duty of care."
Van Gisbergen has addressed those comments on social media.
"I understand it's my duty to represent the sport in a good light as champion," he said. "I will do that to the best of my ability by being myself off track, racing hard on track for my team members, team partners and our fans.
"It was a real kick in the teeth hearing those comments from a five-time champion - someone I look up to and respect. I am not going to pretend it's all roses when it is not."
Among those responding to van Gisbergen's post is Supercars icon and former champion Russell Ingall.
"That sums it up perfectly, dude," he commented."You are entertaining enough on the track, you don't need to be a comedian off it.
"A saying I live by is, 'If you're going to spray someone, then say it to their face or don't say it at all'. To give someone an uppercut on national TV without right of reply is not on."
The Supercars Championship will move to Melbourne's Albert Park for the next round on March 30-April 2.
