Ford’s Fabian Coulthard has prevailed in the most dramatic Supercars race of 2020 as championship heavyweights Scott McLaughlin and Jamie Whincup stumbled after an early tussle.
Coulthard’s 13th-career victory came in eventful circumstances at Tailem Bend, with tensions boiling after multiple incidents at the South Australian track on Saturday.
“Forty-one races (since his last win) is a long time ago, and my 200th round start here as well, so to get a win is awesome,” the 38-year-old said.
Coulthard’s first victory since Perth last year was almost a side-note as the battle between his Shell V-Power teammate McLaughlin and Red Bull Holden’s Whincup, who are the only genuine contenders for this year’s title, flared up.
McLaughlin claimed an early lead in the first of three 24-lap races this weekend after flying past Holden’s Chaz Mostert, who started from pole.
But on turn-18 of the first-lap, McLaughlin spun into the sand after Whincup hit the side of his Mustang to leave the New Zealander flailing in 18th.
Whincup was immediately slapped with a 15-second penalty, but McLaughlin didn’t earn the wrath of the stewards, and instead made a gallant charge to close within reach of an improbable podium finish.
But McLaughlin earned the same time punishment as Whincup for a late-race clash with Lee Holdsworth that left the Tickford veteran off track.
McLaughlin shook hands with Whincup after the race and declared there were no hard feelings despite the incident.
“I pretty much knew he (Whincup) was probably going to be penalised after that so it was about me trying to maximise what I had,” McLaughlin said.
“I felt the move with Holdsworth was on, and I had a crack, and I wanted to try and jump on the podium with my teammate (Coulthard), but the stewards didn’t agree with it.
“The guy on the outside has to give you some space so it’s up to him (Holdsworth) as well and I don’t agree with (the penalty).”
Holdsworth was dismayed with the move from his fellow Ford driver that saw hopes of a podium finish end in 13th place.
“I think he (McLaughlin) is driving in desperation; I don’t know why he would because he’s got a championship nearly in the bag,” Holdsworth said.
The penalties pushed McLaughlin (15th) and Whincup (19th) to back of the field but the former still has a 151-point championship lead.
THE BEND SUPERSPRINT RACE ONE
1. Fabian Coulthard (Ford)
2. Jack Le Brocq (Ford)
3. Bryce Fullwood (Holden)
4. Andre Heimgartner (Ford)
5. Cameron Waters (Ford)
SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
1. Scott McLaughlin (Ford) 1874 pts
2. Jamie Whincup (Holden) 1723
3. Cameron Waters 1443
4. Chaz Mostert 1436
5. Shane van Gisbergen (Holden) 1413
