Premat returns to pal McLaughlin
Frenchman Alex Premat admitted it was a tough decision to quit as Shane van Gisbergen’s co-driver and rejoin Scott McLaughlin.
The 35-year-old was with McLaughlin at Bathurst in 2015, where they finished fifth in a Volvo for Garry Rogers Motorsport.
But last year Premat teamed up with another Kiwi in the endurance rounds, while McLaughlin went with David Wall.
But after last year’s Gold Coast 600, McLaughlin approached Premat to ask him if he wanted to drive with him again.
After some deliberation, Premat agreed to go back with McLaughlin and together they’ll attempt to win the Bathurst 1000 on Sunday.
‘‘Scotty has always been a good friend, at the track and away from it,’’ Premat said.
‘‘He told me he was going to DJR Team Penske and asked if I’d like to be on board.
‘‘It wasn’t an easy decision because I was with Shane at Red Bull and we won the the Pirtek Enduro Cup last year.
‘‘Also, Red Bull were at the top of the game and last year DJR Team Penske were around sixth in the championship.
‘‘So I looked at the options and I’ve taken a risk, but I’m pretty happy that it’s going to pay off.’’
Premat said it wasn’t easy to give the news to van Gisbergen and Triple Eight team principal Roland Dane that hr was going elsewhere.
‘‘Shane for sure was disappointed when I told him I was going to leave, but it’s part of the things,’’ Premat said.
‘‘You have to choose what you think is the best, I’m still very good friends with Shane and I’m in contact with him every couple of weeks.
‘‘When I was in Ipswich for the testing we played squash together and he’s still a good friend.’’
Van Gisbergen and his Triple Eight team had to go searching for a new co-driver with Premat gone and settled on 22-year-old Matt Campbell, who was with Todd Kelly last year.
This will be Premat’s sixth appearance at the Bathurst 1000, his first in a Ford and he says he’s looking forward to a big weekend with McLaughlin.
‘‘It’s good to be back,’’ he said. ‘‘I love the track and the dynamics of this.
‘‘Changing team is never easy, but we went well in Sandown (finishing second).
‘‘The team were welcoming when I came three weeks ago for the testing at Ipswich and then Sandown.
‘‘For sure, the team is different to Red Bull, but the good thing is I’ve known Scotty for a long time, so it’s been easy to come into the team.
‘‘Switching from Scott to Shane, then back to Scott, it’s nice to experience the dynamics of those Kiwi boys.’’