The announcement of Volvo aligning with Garry Rogers Motorsport to bring a fifth manufacturer to the V8 Supercars grid has been a big one.

And while this prompts a lot of questions – many answered on v8supercars.com.au during the week of the news – one of the biggest is ‘who will drive the cars?’.

Garry Rogers said that week he had no intention of changing the driver line-up in the team, though the current drivers would need to maintain results.

However, with Scott McLaughlin already having recorded wins at the Pukekohe event as well as at the non-Championship Australian Grand Prix in his first year in the category, surely he is hot property.

Though McLaughlin drives a Holden in the V8 SuperTourers New Zealand Championship, rules prevent drivers from being contracted to a manufacturer.

That car has strong support from Supercheap Auto and with a seat arising at Walkinshaw Racing currently sponsored by the auto giant, it has sparked rumours the young Kiwi could be with the team next year.

However, neither camp confirmed talks between the two.

In fact, McLaughlin’s Manager Chris Jewell said he hadn’t received any calls about the young driver and his obligations for next year, despite hoping to have turned a few heads.

McLaughin is signed to a multi-year deal with Garry Rogers Motorsport, and while changes to this degree within a team could trigger a loophole in a contract – both for driver and team – McLaughlin isn’t looking to leave.

Jewell suggested the link with Volvo and Polestar could provide opportunities in the future for the young Kiwi and was encouraging him to serve out his two years as contracted, as a proper grounding in V8 Supercars.

McLaughlin said he was excited about the announcement and future of Volvo in the sport. Given he is completing a fabrication apprenticeship with GRM, he has the opportunity to see what happens inside the workshop as the team makes the switch.

“It’s great for the team (the backing of Volvo) and in the end it’s something that had to be done to keep up the survival of GRM,” McLaughlin said.

“To have that support is something Garry deserves – he’s been around 50 years and has been very loyal to the brand of Holden, but he can only do so much.”

McLaughlin said he was really happy with the team.

“I think I’m still going to be here next year, if I keep up the results. It’s a pretty cool thing to be a factory driver… it’s a career changing event.”

McLaughlin understood the gossip was part of motorsport and being in the V8 Supercars Championship – but in his books, as far as he knows, nothing is changing.

“We signed a multi-year agreement last year and that’s pretty much it.”

The 20-year old enjoys being in the fab shop helping build the cars and is looking forward to being involved with the new machines.

“I’ve seen bits and pieces of the aero kit and it looks cool. To be in the shop every day and see the development (is good) and the team is doing a great job ahead of schedule compared to some of the teams last year.”

GRM tested at Winton Raceway earlier in the week – while the team hadn’t lost pace, McLaughlin felt they had plateaued in the last few races.

“Other teams tested earlier but we didn’t get the opportunity because of circumstances… we tried some stuff you can’t do at the race track (because it’s a) gamble.

“It’s good for our confidence heading into Townsville.”

Last year while competing in the Dunlop Series McLaughlin won the round and two races at the Sucrogen Townsville 400 street circuit and is looking forward to tackling it in his Car of the Future.