Flying Kiwis set pace
Both drivers took home a second place in two races at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500 a fortnight ago but Shane van Gisbergen’s pair of wins gave the impression Red Bull Racing was still top dog. Now, nobody’s really sure. But Whincup saw the Penske challenge coming.
‘‘We predicted they would be very strong at the end of last year,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s going to be a great battle ... but it’s not going to be a two horse race.
‘‘The biggest winner is every- one who loves the sport and comes out and watches it.’’
Coulthard, who won race three from pole position yesterday, said he hoped to continue up the front at Symons Plains next month, with championship points on the line. ‘‘The guys have given us a fantastic car, both Scotty and I, and it’s nice to be battling up the front,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ve been to three tracks now, Eastern Creek, Adelaide and the Grand Prix. We’ve shown good speed at all of those. Hope- GETTY IMAGES fully it’s a sign of things to come.’’ McLaughlin said starting from the back of the grid today could actually be helpful for his title hopes.
‘‘We’ll take some adjustments into tomorrow’s race and go a bit crazy with it and see what we can do, learn some stuff,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton took pole position with the fastest lap at Albert Park and will start the season-opening Australian Grand Prix at the front of the grid.
— AP