Why do drivers from outside Australia and New Zealand (almost) always struggle in Supercars

So. With 2 years down, Simona De Silvestro has, a top 10, but not much else to show.

Some idiots are claiming that this because she's a woman. This is not true.

There is actually a better reason why Simona's struggling. Well, there are multiple reasons, but the main reason why Simona's struggling is a similar reason to why Maro Engel, Robert Dahlgren, and many others have struggled in the Supercars series.

Put simply, in my view, it's because they're not from Australia or New Zealand. Let me explain. But before I do, let me note the few exceptions to this.

Firstly and most obviously. Allan Moffat. He's from Canada, and he got four wins at Bathurst and four Championships.

The other notable "exception" is Alex Premat.

I will note Alex Premat because he has only tasted success as a co-driver to Scott McLaughlin. He struggled badly as a full-time driver and only started doing well as an endurance driver.

So, those are the most notable exceptions to the rule.

Also, to note, Simona De Silvestro is covered by this rule, as she's from Switzerland.

Now, onto the main reason why people not from Australia or New Zealand struggle in the Supercars. And there's one very good reason why. It's because they're not used to the Supercars.

Let me explain.

If you work your way up to the Supercars series in either Australia or New Zealand, and particularly if you're racing in Super 3 or Super 2, you will be racing cars that are similar, though older, to the main game cars. This gives you experience in those cars, so you (theoretically) have an idea of how they work.

However, if you are not from Australia or New Zealand, then its unlikely you'll have encountered these Supercars. And they're unique cars so it can be very hard for someone not used to the cars to adjust.

This is also why so many drivers from outside the US, again, with very few exceptions, struggle with NASCAR. Juan Paublo Montoya and Marcos Ambrose being the two big examples of very successful drivers from other motorsport series (IndyCar and Supercars respectively) not making that bigger splash in NASCAR.

(Of note: Both of them did impress on the Road Courses).

Australia Supercars are unique machines, and the field today is ultra-competitive, so if you're not in sync with the car and the track, you're down the back, and it doesn't matter if you're Tim Blanchard or Jamie Whincup.

So, to put it succinctly, the reason why racers not from Australia or New Zealand tend to struggle in the Supercars series is that they're not used to the unique cars we race.

As for Simona specifically, it at least in part because the team isn't that great. Sure, Rick Kelly can wheel his car around really well, but the rest, not so much.

I'll be returning to Last-Place finishes soon, as well as doing potential other hot takes in the future, so please follow me on Twitter and this Blog.