Fabian Coulthard wins first race 1 at Albert Park

V8 Supercars

No points were up for grabs in the opening V8 Supercars race at the non-championship Australian Grand Prix round in Melbourne on Friday.

But victory still tasted sweet for Fabian Coulthard – and no wonder.

Nine years after first dabbling in touring cars Coulthard toasted his maiden win, with Holden teammate Jason Bright sealing a dream one-two finish for Brad Jones Racing.

Ford’s Will Davison was third.

It may have been a support category for the Australian Grand Prix but Coulthard’s duel with fellow Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen demanded centre stage with the Albert Park faithful in the 12-lap blitz.

Luck had looked to be finally turning around for the 30-year-old driver after he grabbed his first career pole for Friday’s opening frantic run around the Albert Park street circuit.

Coulthard had been a top-five performer in the recent opening round in Adelaide, only for mechanical problems and an oil spill to dash his hopes in the two 250km races.

But Coulthard was again ruing his fortunes after he slipped from first to fourth, behind last race winner in Adelaide van Gisbergen, when everyone completed their compulsory pit stop following a lap two safety car.

However, Coulthard made his own luck as he showed pure speed to pick away his rivals and remain firmly in van Gisbergen’s rearview mirror.

And on the second last lap the stars aligned for Coulthard.

Van Gisbergen began battling mechanical problems and Coulthard swooped as his stricken compatriot drifted back into the field.

In the end van Gisbergen was one of three drivers who failed to finish.

In contrast, Coulthard was toasting his success after finishing almost two seconds ahead of teammate Bright who also had to overcome the odds on the way to the podium.

Bright qualified second on the grid but was relegated to fourth due to a practice penalty.

However, the former Bathurst 1000 winner also showed exceptional speed in a reminder to traditional powerhouse the Triple Eight Red Bull team that they won’t have it all their own way in 2013.

Four-time series winner Jamie Whincup was fourth with Red Bull teammate and series leader Craig Lowndes fifth.

In another concern for Red Bull boss Roland Dane, his prized pair raised eyebrows when they came into contact late in the race.

Whincup survived to finish the race but Lowndes slipped from third to fifth due to tyre degradation.

There was plenty of action from the opening lap when Nissan’s Michael Caruso and Holden driver Tony D’Alberto came into contact.

But the safety car only emerged on lap two when Holden’s Alexandre Premat inexplicably shunted Lee Holdsworth’s Mercedes.

Friday’s second race starts at 1420 AEDT.

 

PosTeamDriverCarBest Lap
1Lockwood RacingFabian CoulthardHolden Commodore VF1:57.1541*
2Team BOCJason BrightHolden Commodore VF1:57.3077
3Pepsi Max Crew FPR FordWill DavisonFord Falcon FG1:57.4978
4Red Bull Racing AustraliaJamie WhincupHolden Commodore VF1:57.8713
5Red Bull Racing AustraliaCraig LowndesHolden Commodore VF1:57.3918
6Fujitsu Racing GRMScott McLaughlinHolden Commodore VF1:58.0275
7Pepsi Max Crew FPR FordMark WinterbottomFord Falcon FG1:57.9921
8Norton 360 RacingJames MoffatNissan Altima1:57.8648
9Holden Racing TeamGarth TanderHolden Commodore VF1:58.4969
10Jack Daniel’s RacingRick KellyNissan Altima1:58.7437
11Holden Racing TeamJames CourtneyHolden Commodore VF1:58.4211
12Jack Daniel’s RacingTodd KellyNissan Altima1:58.8783
13Tekno AutosportsJonathon WebbHolden Commodore VF1:58.3736
14The Bottle-O FPR FordDavid ReynoldsFord Falcon FG1:58.5974
15Wilson Security RacingTim BlanchardFord Falcon FG1:59.0548
16Norton 360 RacingMichael CarusoNissan Altima1:59.4228
17Supercheap Auto RacingRussell IngallHolden Commodore VF1:59.5918
18Dodo Insurance RacingDean FioreHolden Commodore VF1:59.2464
19Irwin RacingLee HoldsworthMercedes E63 AMG1:59.3442
20Wilson Security RacingDavid WallHolden Commodore VF1:59.2732
21Jeld-wen FPR FordAlex DavisonFord Falcon FG1:59.4059
22ekol RacingScott PyeHolden Commodore VF1:59.7026
23Heavy Haulage Australia RacingTim SladeMercedes E63 AMG1:59.3380
24SP Tools RacingMaro EngelMercedes E63 AMG2:00.5572
25Wilson Security RacingJonny ReidFord Falcon FG1:59.6942
DNFTEKNO Team VIPShane Van GisbergenHolden Commodore VF1:57.3301
DNFFujitsu Racing GRMAlexandre PrematHolden Commodore VF3:00.6720
DNFTeam HIFLEXTony D’AlbertoHolden Commodore VF

Fabian Coulthard wins first race 1 at Albert Park

  • V8 Supercars
    About The Author
    -

    twelve + twenty =

    You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

    Related stories