The biggest losses and gains of 2021 so far

We’re three rounds into the 2021 Repco Supercars Championship, and in a quick breather before next weekend’s OTR SuperSprint, it’s a good chance to have a look at who's hot and who's not over one lap and in the races.

We’ve seen a good mixture of circuits, from the flowing Mount Panorama layout to the heavy-braking stop-start Sandown, before the last-start Symmons Plains circuit, which features the slowest corner on the calendar.

Several storylines have already been formed through three rounds; Shane van Gisbergen is the runaway championship leader, having won six of eight races.

WATCH: BEST OVERTAKES IN TASSIE

He has also claimed four ARMOR ALL Pole Positions, but his average starting positions dips as a result of his lowly start of 17th for Race 3 at Sandown; a race he won.

Brad Jones Racing duo Todd Hazelwood and Nick Percat have made the biggest gains, improving 4.8 and 4.4 positions in races respectively.

Hazelwood has made gains in every race so far in 2021, highlighted by a 10-position rise in Race 6 at Symmons Plains, which was his 100th career race start.

Percat also made waves on the Symmons Plains Sunday, gaining a combined 19 positions in the day’s two 44-lap sprints.

Another day, another overtake for Hazelwood

However, while it proves BJR race cars are among the best in the field, it also proves the team must address its one-lap woes.

Percat’s average starting position of 16.3 is the best of the BJR quartet, ahead of Macauley Jones (17.8), Hazelwood (18.3) and Jack Smith (19.8).

Van Gisbergen’s average finishing position of 1.8 is, in no surprise, the best of the field, followed by Red Bull Ampol Racing teammate Jamie Whincup (3.9).

Van Gisbergen won Race 3 at Sandown from 17th

Van Gisbergen’s 16-place gain in Race 3, which saw the series leader vault from 17th to first, marks the biggest single race gain. It was also a Sandown record for the lowest grid position for a winner.

Erebus Motorsport rookie Brodie Kostecki has also impressed, with Walkinshaw Andretti United sophomore driver Bryce Fullwood enjoying a 1.6 increase.

Shell V-Power Racing Team recuit Anton De Pasquale, who has suffered two DNFs already this season, is the biggest loser, with his average finish of 10.8 well down on his 5.3 starting average.

De Pasquale’s Race 1 crash at Mount Panorama marked the single biggest position loss in a race so far this season; he dropped 20 places.

WATCH: DE PASQUALE’S BATHURST SHUNT

He also lost 15 places at Sandown in Race 4 following his engine drama, which marked his second DNF in four starts.

In the following race, Chaz Mostert, who scored a maiden WAU win in Tasmania, dropped 15 places following a throttle drama.

Can anyone make key gains at the next round at Tailem Bend? The Repco Supercars Championship field will return to The Bend Motorsport Park for the OTR SuperSprint across May 7-9. Tickets are on sale now.

The event will be broadcast live on Foxtel and will be streamed on Kayo with highlights on 7 and 7 Plus.

The biggest losses and gains of 2021 so far