Meet Optus Ambassador Chaz Mostert

The first thing you notice when you meet Chaz Mostert is that he smiles a lot. He’s got that natural happiness that’s infectious and makes people feel relaxed around him.

Yet there’s a clear sense of focus and determination. This man is very good at what he does, and he didn’t just wake up dual Bathurst 1000 winner. Clearly, he’s put in the had work consistently to get where he is today.

While Chaz Mostert is preparing to race in the Adelaide 500, we asked him some questions to get to know him a bit better.
When did you realise that racing was your future?

I’ve loved to go fast since I was seven years old growing up in Browns Plains. It all started when I wanted to get a Yamaha PeeWee 50 (PW50) like many kids I knew.

I thought I’d have no problem getting it across the line with my parents, but mum freaked out and said, ‘Four wheels or no wheels!’. Then dad had a lightbulb moment and the next weekend we were down at the go-kart track and doing my first lap.

By starting with karting, I got the competitive drive early on. I didn’t realise it at the time, but karts are quite hard to drive. There’s less gear to keep them light so there’s no power steering.

The skills I learned during my karting days have helped me in my supercar driving career you soon learn there’s little room for mistakes.

What do you enjoy most about motor sports?

I love the opportunity to drive fast. No surprises there! I also love the challenge of matching my skills with the car I’m driving, understanding the sweet spot and going for it. And winning races is a lot of fun, there’s no doubt about it.
I really enjoyed last year’s win at Bathurst – it was awesome. After the celebrations are over though it’s important to remember how you got to the podium and all the amazing people and support I’ve received to get to the top.

Family and friends are important to you, right?

100 per cent. I wouldn’t be here today without the support of my family and friends. A big shout to out to my family who have always been right behind me every step of the way from karting to supercars.

I also love the sense of community that comes with motor racing. Ever since the early karting days I’ve enjoyed getting to know people who were part of the sport – other drivers, officials, and support crews. I’ve made lifelong friends along the way.

Have you felt fear and how do you handle it?

When you’re racing against the best drivers in Australia if not the world, it’s a challenge and it’s tough. We’re all looking for the smallest margins out there because we all like going fast and we all like to push the limits of the car and push that threshold.

When I’m racing, I’m in the zone and fear doesn’t get much of a look in because I’m so focused.

What big obstacles have you overcome in your racing career?

The biggest obstacle was the crash in 2015 and how I got through that. I’d fractured my left femur and left wrist. But in this sport, you don’t see a lot of those types of serious injuries. So, unlike other sports like football that are better prepared to help players after an injury [because they happen more often] the recovery fell on me. I had to dig deep. I also felt bad because I’d let the team down on the day.

I’m just thankful that there aren’t more injuries amongst other drivers and officials, safety is a big thing in our sport.

The Optus messaging “It starts with Yes” – what does that mean to you?

The first thing I think when I hear “yes” is positivity. It’s the same positivity I used to recover from the injury. The alternative to being driven by “yes” is “no” and that’s a negative place and not an option for me. I’m enjoying my job - I enjoy what I do. And the people I have around me. I’m privileged to do what I do - race cars and be with people I enjoy being with.

If you could give your 15-year-old self some advice, what would it be?

I’d say: Back yourself. There were times when I went through support categories and didn’t get anywhere because there’s a transition time. When you go from karts to cars it requires a different driving style. You need to trust that you’ll pick it up in time and not expect it to happen overnight.

With go-karting your reaction times must be quick. With cars you’ve got to let the car do the work. Every time you try to overdrive a car it goes slower.

The first year or two in the National Formula Ford Series was a real test for me. I thought maybe I’m just not good in cars. So, if I had advice to myself at 15 and heading to that next step, I’d say: be patient, go through the learning process, don’t be too hard on yourself and learn your craft. Because things take time, and you don’t become a race car driver overnight.

How important is a good support network for drivers starting out?

Racing can make or break young drivers. It all depends on how they mentally prepare themselves for the learning process. Again, that’s where the support network comes into play. I was very lucky that I always had my family in my corner to support me when I had any doubts.

Dad believed in me sometimes more than I believed in myself. Also, the people around me with the teams I drove for were very nurturing. I never had a bad experience but when you don’t get the results you were hoping for, it can be frustrating. That can cause you to fight your own demons in your own head and beat yourself up. I was very lucky - my support network helped me knock that out very quick. Some people respond to that sort of stress by blocking other people out. But the better advice is to let people close to you support you like your family and friends.

Did you have a back-up plan?

Yes, I have a trade ticket. I’m also a light vehicle mechanic. I started as a heavy vehicle working on diesel engines. Didn’t know how engines worked then but I started learning a lot more. It’s come in handy a lot now that I’m a Supercar driver. I loved it but it started to get hard to juggle that and the racing. I was lucky because once I fell back into racing, I was able to work with a race team when I was in the development series to tick off my ticket. Even so, I think you’ve always got to have a backup plan.