SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK SUPERSPRINT – SUNDAY AUGUST 20 - QUALIFYING & RACE 18
Fabian Coulthard - No. 12 Shell V-Power Racing Ford
Qualifying – 5th (Fastest Lap: 1m28.7702s)
Race 18 – 2nd (Fastest Lap: 1m30.2597s (under old lap record)
Scott McLaughlin - No. 17 Shell V-Power Racing Ford
Qualifying – FIRST (Fastest Lap: 1m28.2259s (new lap record)
Race 18 – 4th (Fastest Lap: 1m30.3837s (under old lap record)
Fabian Coulthard - No. 12 Shell V-Power Racing Ford
Recap: Coulthard again demonstrated his racing ability today at Sydney Motorsport Park, after finishing second in today's 200km, 52 lap race. After qualifying fifth, he had a blinding start that nearly catapulted him into the cars in front. He settled into fourth, and then took more fuel than other cars at his first stop. That sacrificed track position early, but came back to him when his second stop was only six-seconds. He then drove up to and passed teammate McLaughlin for third, before passing Shane van Gisbergen to take second place, and his second podium of the weekend after victory yesterday. He is now 107 points behind McLaughlin in third place in the Championship.
Quote: "The car was good, thanks to the Shell V-Power Racing Team. It's always a very good race car. After the last few rounds, it's great to get back on the podium, get the win yesterday and close the points gap in the process. It's great to head into the Pirtek Enduro Cup with some momentum, I'm really looking forward to it."
Scott McLaughlin - No. 17 Shell V-Power Racing Ford
Recap: McLaughlin was again the master of qualifying, taking his 13th pole of 2017, and his seventh in a row in qualifying this morning - taking the double for the weekend. He got a slow start in the 200km race, before settling into fifth place for the opening stint. He pitted early, gained track position and then stayed third across a safety car and second pit stop. He went with Coulthard after the late race pass, very nearly stealing third place from Van Gisbergen down the start finish straight, to be fourth by only one-tenth of a second.
Quote: "I need to work on my starts, they're my biggest issue right now. Fourth isn't a bad day overall, but we're disappointed. Congrats to Fabian, great to see him back on the podium again. I'm disappointed I couldn't join him, and I thought I could get Van Gisbergen. We went close, but not quite. At the end we still have the orange stickers, still lead the Championship and the team is strong leading into the Pirtek Enduro Cup."