Red Bull Holden takes yet another title amid controversy

PUKEKOHE: Red Bull Holden Racing Team has put a controversial weekend behind it, claiming a historymaking teams championship in New Zealand and aiming for another driver’s title this month.

The series resumes in Newcastle in just over a fortnight, when 2016 winner and Red Bull driver Shane van Gisbergen will look to deny DJR Team Penske upstart Scott McLaughlin his first championship.

The margin could barely be tighter between the two — just 14 points — the equivalent of two toporder positions in a race.

But there is no competition when it comes to the teams championship, where Red Bull has claimed an incredible ninth title in 11 seasons.

Van Gisbergen finished first and second at Pukekohe, while teammate Jamie Whincup claimed fifth and third to give Roland Dane’s team a 681point gap to nextbest, DJR Team Penske.

But being the best team in the field has not made it the most admired.

Red Bull’s relentlessness and ruthlessness has drawn an incredible backlash from many among the Supercars faithful, as exposed during the weekend’s meet.

The category’s failure to punish van Gisbergen for a pit lane wheelspin and brash behaviour from the titlechaser resulted in the Kiwi being booed, even by sections of his home support at Pukekohe.

Jamie Whincup, who has driven for the team for more than a decade, said fans should celebrate the contest.

‘‘There’s no need to be negative and getting on your keyboard and having a crack at someone,’’ he said.

‘‘This is a fantastic sport and we should embrace the drama that goes on this weekend.

‘‘What transpired at the weekend, we need to embrace it and be thankful for it.

‘‘The day we’re not talking about it, the day there’s no controversy and no passion is the day we’ve got to worry.

‘‘I think this weekend has been fantastic for the sport.’’

Van Gisbergen, who was full of praise for McLaughlin’s rolereversing win on Sunday, did not accept culpability for parking McLaughlin in after their Saturday race but said he regretted the brouhaha.

‘‘The parking mistake turned out to be a big s... fight . . . If I had my time again I’d go further to the side,’’ he said.

‘‘The ontrack stuff, we always race each other super hard.

‘‘Always on edge. Always fair. Always awesome.

‘‘I can’t wait to take the fight to him and enjoy the last couple of races.’’ — AAP