Supercars legend Craig Lowndes has weighed into the parity debate, saying the aerodynamic adjustments to the Ford Mustang create a "no-win situation" for the category.
The new-for-2019 Mustang raised eyebrows right from the pre-season test at Phillip Island when the new Ford filled the top three spots.
From Adelaide to Albert Park, to Tasmania and back to Phillip Island, the Mustang has been quick, winning nine of 10 races and taking eight of 10 poles.
However, Supercars last week confirmed that the Mustang package will be revised ahead of this weekend's Perth SuperNight.
MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2019 Supercars season
Following a test across all three models, the Mustang's centre of gravity was altered ahead of the Tasmania round.
However, after further data was accrued from the Phillip Island round, the Mustang was forced to undergo aero changes to ensure technical parity with the Holden ZB Commodore and Nissan Altima.
The rear wing endplates, Gurney flap, and front undertray of the Mustang will all be altered.
Disappointment remained among rivals considering the car was signed off by Supercars and the Supercars Commission last year.
According to Triple Eight enduro driver and Fox Sports television expert Lowndes, the homologation process needs more work to ensure Supercars avoids future drama.
However, Lowndes conceded the category was in a "damned if they do and damned if they don’t" situation in regards to making the changes to the Mustang.
"Is it right that we’re making what could be a significant change to the story of 2019 a third of the way into a season? Yes, and no," Lowndes wrote in a Red Bull column.
"It's a complicated discussion to start, but the frustration for everyone is why the category is doing this homologation with the new aero now.
"The beginning of the process is what needs more work... I understand that when a car has been ticked off, there needs to be some race rounds to take place so the independent group that Supercars use can properly assess and analyse what advantage a car, in this case the Mustang, might have, and adjust if need be as they have in this case.
"I'd feel the same way if it was the ZB Commodore last year, too. But where the category looks bad is that the Mustang was passed, and maybe the process before a car is ticked off needs to be more thorough.
"Something like this, a change after one car has won 90 per cent of the races, creates a no-win situation of sorts for the category. You’re damned if you do something, but equally damned if you don’t."
2019 is the first year of Ford's official return to the category after it initially pulled support altogether in 2014.
However, things have moved quickly - Ford responded after Supercars confirmed the aero changes, saying it was "disappointed" but will now look to do its "talking on the racetrack".
Notably, in the days after Supercars confirmed the aero changes, reigning series champion Scott McLaughlin backed his team to keep the foot on the throat of its rivals: "No one can adjust parity on hard work and dedication."
I’ve had some amazing memories with DJR Team Penske in Perth! Never seen a team more determined than us right now. No one can adjust parity on hard work and dedication, we have an amazing race team backing us to the tilt, can’t wait to wheel it this weekend for them and our fans! pic.twitter.com/mJW61e9roE
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) April 29, 2019
Lowndes sympathised for Ford fans, but admitted that if the Mustang keeps up its winning run in Perth this weekend, those on the other side of the fence will rage again.
"Say the Mustang wins both races in Perth this weekend - there'll be people saying the changes didn’t go far enough," Lowndes wrote.
"If Ford wins neither race, then the talk will be the changes were too much and it’ll water down the achievement of whichever other manufacturer does win.
"I feel for the Ford fans, and it’s frustrating because there’s a process at the start of it all, and if you get a car homologated at the start of the year, that’s what you should be left with.
"The other side that’s not good for the category is that we always talk about cost-saving and for teams to be able to be financially better off.
"Now, all the Ford teams who have done all of their testing and spent time developing a car that had been passed literally need to start again."
