Tyrepower Tasmania Supersprint - Qualifying&Race 4
April 9, 2017
Fabian Coulthard - No. 12 Shell V-Power Racing Ford
Qualifying – 6th (Fastest Lap: 59.1030s)
Race 4 – FIRST (Fastest Lap: 51.5155s)
Scott McLaughlin - No. 17 Shell V-Power Racing Ford
Qualifying – 2nd (Fastest Lap: 58.6678s)
Race 4 – 2nd (Fastest Lap: 51.5862)
Fabian Coulthard - No. 12 Shell V-Power Racing Ford
Recap: Fabian Coulthard had a very strong day at the Tyrepower Tasmania SuperSprint. Qualifying sixth, he took advantage of his speed in the drying track conditions to work his way forward through the pack, before getting the jump on his teammate McLaughlin through pit strategy. He was second to Chaz Mostert, who ran off the road giving the lead to Coulthard. Coulthard had to withstand pressure from behind in two Safety Car restarts, each time using his excellent pace to pull away from the field to take the team’s first championship race victory as DJR Team Penske/Shell V-Power Racing Team. He now sits only 20 points off the Championship lead in second, with the team 12 points clear at the top of the Teams’ standings.
Quote: "It's a pretty special thing to win, and even better when your team mate is right there alongside you on the podium. It was a pretty dominant performance, we worked well as a team with our pit stops and strategy. I didn't get impeded by stacking at any stage, and it shows the camaraderie within the team. It doesn't matter which car wins, as long as one of them does. I don't think we could have ended the day any better than what we did. To take the team's first Championship win is very special. It's an iconic team, and we have some pretty special people here. Roger is wrapped, Dick has a smile a mile wide and it's good times."
Scott McLaughlin - No. 17 Shell V-Power Racing Ford
Recap: McLaughlin was flying in the very wet conditions in qualifying, and started the race second. His car was clearly faster in wet conditions than dry, so his ultimate pace was compromised as the track dried. A minor coming together with Jamie Whincup damaged a tyre, but McLaughlin could continue and take a very strong second place finish behind his team mate Fabian Coulthard to cap a very special day for the team. McLaughlin leapt up the Drivers' Championship standings, and is now fourth only 54 points off the lead.
Quote: "I'm stoked, just so happy for everyone at Shell V-Power Racing Team. It's a pretty special day, for me, for Fabian, Dick, Ludo and all the team. When you get a call at the back of the podium from Roger Penske, you've had a pretty good day! We'll move on and move forward from here. This is a special day, and we'll never forget it."