Nineteen year old Scott McLaughlin has surprised even himself winning his first V8 Supercars race in only his sixth outing as a fulltime driver in the series.
The Fujitsu Racing driver claimed the final race of the MSS Security V8 Supercar Challenge at Albert Park by 2.3 seconds over Craig Lowndes and fellow Kiwi Fabian Coulthard.
McLaughlin admits the result was beyond the team’s and his own expectations.
“It’s a pretty surreal to get my first race win so early but I’ve worked hard and so have all the boys. They deserve it completely,” said McLaughlin.
“I definitely didn’t expect it but I had a great car and everything’s working really well and I’m comfortable with everything at the moment.”
McLaughlin made his debut for the Garry Rogers Motorsport outfit at the final race of 2012 at the Sydney 500 and was recruited fulltime in 2013 by the Melbourne based team as Alex Premat’s team mate.
The team has showed impressive car speed at the championship opener, the Clipsal 500, with Mclaughlin recording two top ten finishes and Premat recording best qualifying and race results since joining Fujitsu Racing in 2012.
According to McLaughlin it hasn’t taken long to get settled into his new home at GRM.
“Me and Alex are working really well together. He’s a great guy and I’m getting on really well with him,” he said.
“We’re pushing each other and I think that’s pushing the team forward. Everything’s coming along nicely at the moment.”
McLaughlin also feels there is a strong link between his sound results and the inner workings of the team.
“I feel like the environment is really helping my driving along. The team is awesome and I get along really well with people here,” he added.
“They gave me a great car and I’m pleased I could turn it into results.”
Despite the Australian Grand Prix event not contributing points, both McLaughlin and Fujitsu Racing are confident with the cars heading into the second event of the championship, the Tasmania 360.
Like the MSS Security V8 Supercar Challenge at Albert Park, the Tasmania 360 will use the Dunlop soft compound tyre and McLaughlin feels this weekend’s pace will carry over to the Apple Isle.
“We’re very confident but it’s a new race when we get there and you’re only as good as your last race,” he said.
“I’m not going to let this one get to my head.”
The Tasmania 360 takes place at Symmons Plains 5-7 April. McLaughlin heads into the event in sixth place of the V8 Supercars Championship less than 100 points off leader Craig Lowndes.
