Scott McLaughlin claims double pole and win at Phillip Island

2016-04-17

Scott McLaughlin secured his best ever V8 Supercars weekend for Volvo Cyan Racing at Phillip Island with two pole positions and two convincing victories, becoming the first multiple race winner of 2016.

”This means so much for me and the team. I couldn’t have done it with a great team behind me and the fan support,” said McLaughlin.

The young Kiwi started the weekend by recording the fastest ever V8 Supercars lap time around Phillip Island during practice and went on to claim pole position for the first race.

McLaughlin headed the field from lights to flag in race one, a feat he repeated in race two, again starting from pole position and winning despite a late safety car session with ten laps left.

”This has been one of those weekend when everything went right. Great car speed. Took pole twice. Won both races convincingly. It has been a tough time but now I think we are finally back to where we belong,” said McLaughlin.

Team mate James Moffat had a promising weekend, recording a new personal best for the team with fifth in qualifying and finishing race one in seventh position.

The double victory has elevated McLaughlin to second place in the drivers’ championship, just 15 points behind multiple champion and current leader Jamie Whincup.

The championship continues with the Perth SuperSprint in three weeks.

Results Race 1 – Top 5

1 Scott McLaughlin Volvo S60 27 laps

2 Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore +1.2420

3 Fabian Coulthard Ford Falcon +10.9012

4 Shane van Gisbergen Holden Commodore +16.8142

5 Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon +17.1988

Results Race 2 – Top 5

1 Scott McLaughlin Volvo S60 45 laps

2 Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon +1.0055

3 Scott Pye Ford Falcon +2.8871

4 Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore +3.2976

5 Craig Lowndes Holden Commodore +3.8049

Qualifying for Race 1 – Top 5

1 Scott McLaughlin Volvo S60 1:30.7018

2 Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore +0.0723

3 Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon +0.0807

4 Fabian Coulthard Ford Falcon +0.1031

5 James Moffat Volvo S60 +0.2324

Qualifying for Race 2 – Top 5

1 Scott McLaughlin Volvo S60 1:30.4880

2 Chaz Mostert Ford Falcon +0.0171

3 Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon +0.1623

4 Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore +0.1788

5 Shane van Gisbergen Holden Commodore +0.2056

Championship standings – Top 5

1 Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore 651 pts

2 Scott McLaughlin Volvo S60 636 (-15)

3 Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon 627 (-24)

4 Craig Lowndes Holden Commodore 615 (-36)

5 Will Davison Holden Commodore 558 (-93)

Image from V8 Supercars.