Kiwis take handy lead into Mexico Endurance round
Kto balance winning races with consolidating his championship advantage.
The 24-year-old DJR Team Penske driver tops the championship standings as the season moves into the endurance events. He holds a narrow 12-point lead over Red Bull Holden Racing’s Jamie Whincup.
The three endurance rounds see the fulltime drivers share a car with a part-time racer at the Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000 and Surfers Paradise events, where 300 points are on offer each weekend. A DNF could have huge championship ramifications, so McLaughlin is torn between trying Kiwis Brendon Hartley and Earl Bamber return to action in the World Endurance Championship this weekend with the first round outside Europe.
The pair will take a 30-point championship lead (along with teammate Timo Bernhard) to the 6 Hours of Mexico in Mexico City.
Hartley experienced success at the venue last year and is eager to claim this year’s championship after news Herald. his Porsche factory team will withdraw at season’s end.
“The Auto´dromo Hermanos Rodrı´guez is one of my favourite circuits on the calendar with its street track feel and stadium atmosphere,” he said. “We won the race last year and return this year with the same goal in mind. Although we had the bad news Porsche will stop its LMP1 programme at the end of this season, every member of the team will continue giving their very best and fight for the titles.”
Bamber will experience the impact of racing at altitude for the first time.
“I have been to Mexico City but never raced there,” he said. “It is always good to experience a new circuit and I’m also happy to get back at the wheel of the 919 Hybrid after the long summer break.
“I hope our aero package works well in Mexico. Of course we lose downforce because of the high altitude, but that’s the same for everybody.”
While others relaxed during their summer break, Bamber spent some his time off involved in motorsport.
“Besides having time off, I was doing some coaching in the Carrera Cup Asia junior programme and I was very pleased to see my 23-year old brother [William] winning another race. I’m very proud of him.”