V8 Supercars: James Courtney forced into pit lane after Mustang catches fire mid-race at Albert Park

Flames erupting from V8 Supercars driver James Courtney’s front wheel arch forced the veteran to make an emergency dash into pit lane at Albert Park on Saturday.

The field were just three laps into the race when the Snowy Rivers Caravans Mustang bailed on the race and into the pit lane with flames engulfing the front left tyre.

Fortunately, the 42-year-old was navigating through the slowest corner of the Melbourne circuit close to the lane exit.

As Courtney limped towards his garage and pit box, black smoke began to spill from the car.

The front of his car was on the brink of becoming a raging inferno as an army of race officials ran towards the V8 with fire extinguishers.

Thick smoke billowed through pit lane as Courtney scrambled from the darkening cock pit.

“I saw the flames, and I said to the guys I could smell something from the front left corner,” Courtney said safely back in his garage.

“Then I could see the flames, so I just tried to get to the pits to save the car.

“I’m not sure what’s going on, but it’s front left corner, but it’s probably similar to what happened to Nick.”

It’s the second car fire in as many days that has needed dousing in pit lane, with Nick Percat also forced out of a race on Friday with flames billowing from the same area of his car.

Brodie Kostecki was given provisional victory of the shortened race after the restart.

Meanwhile in the showcase event, hometown Formula 1 hero Oscar Piastri’s chances of scoring his first points took a hit as he missed the cut in Q1 by four one-thousandths of a second, starting Sunday’s Grand Prix in 15th.

Despite slight issues with the car reigning World Champion and Red Bull superstar Max Verstappen claimed his maiden Australian Grand Prix pole as Mercedes shocked the pack to qualifier second and third.