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GOLD COAST 600 – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 – QUALIFYING AND RACE
 
Fabian Coulthard & Tony D'Alberto - No. 12 Shell V-Power Racing Ford

Qualifying – 16th (Fastest Lap: 1m23.4390)
Race 21 – 19th  (Fastest Lap: 1m22.4826s)

Scott McLaughlin & Alex Premat - No. 17 Shell V-Power Racing Ford

Qualifying – 12th (Fastest Lap: 1m22.6970s)
Race 21 – 12th (Fastest Lap: 1m22.6459s)

Fabian Coulthard & Tony D'Alberto - No. 12 Shell V-Power Racing Ford

Recap: It was a tough day on the Gold Coast for Shell V-Power Racing. Heavy rain lashed the track, with qualifying and the race held in very wet conditions. Caution was the call after a poor qualifying, where a red flag hampered efforts to improve late in the session. Car 12 would start 16th for the 300km race. Tony drove the opening stint, across the first 38 laps. He passed a few cars and did a very solid job before handing over to Fabian. Unfortunately, the conditions did not suit the car set-up, and tyre pressure adjustments made were also ineffectual as expected heavier rain did not eventuate. Fabian was caught up in an incident with Nick Percat, who was correcting a slide, and received a 15 second time penalty, applied post-race. He crossed the line 10th, dropping to 19th once the penalty was applied. Fabian continues to lead the Championship by a reduced margin of 37 points. Shell V-Power Racing continues to lead the Team points by 213 points.

Coulthard Quote: "It was unfortunate. We tried our best to get as far up the grid as we could. In the incident with Nick (Percat), he was wide on the way in and I tried to check up. I've been given a penalty, I've got to cop it on the chin. We struggled for both turn and drive today, and they're key things you need around here. Hopefully it's dry tomorrow and we won't have the issue."

D’Alberto Quote: "I think we just didn't have enough pace in the rain, but we were trying to fight back. I think the penalty that Fabian got was pretty unfair. Percat was gathering up a slide, Fabian had nowhere to go, it wasn't intentional and the more I watch it, the more I come to that conclusion. I think tomorrow will be better. We have a good car in dry conditions, and we just need to do the best we can."

Scott McLaughlin & Alex Premat - No. 17 Shell V-Power Racing Ford

Recap: For the first time in 18 races, Car 17 started from behind the front row of the grid. Unfortunately, it was a long way back, with 12th position taken in a very wet qualifying session. Alex started the car, and was very conservative in diabolical conditions. He had an issue early, spinning the car while avoiding another incident on lap 6. He fell to the back of the pack, and was forced to fight through the pack. He handed the car to Scott on Lap 35. Scott then pushed as hard as the car would allow, but incorrect tyre pressures for the conditions made the going difficult. He finished the race 12th, and is now 76 points from the championship lead in third.
 
McLaughlin Quote: "That was a tough day. I feel bad for Alex. It didn't look great, but it was really slippery out there. It could have been much worse for us. The guys gave us a good car, but we didn't get the tyre pressures right. We tuned them for heavier rain that didn't come until it was too late. We managed to hang on, earn some points and keep Shell V-Power Racing one and three in the points."

Premat Quote: "We started p12, we finished p12. It obviously could have been better. The start and the first few laps were insane. The conditions were probably the worst I've ever seen, and I think that Supercars should review it before someone gets hurt. I had to be very patient, and very careful. Unfortunately when I was trying to avoid some guys in front of me, I spun. The car was alright, but we didn't have the same speed as some of the other cars in front of us. We still have Scott in the Championship, so that is good."