HIGH FIVE: DRIVEN TO SUCCEED

SCOTT McLAUGHLIN

Team: DJR Team Penske

Car: Ford FG X Falcon

Prospects: Losing the championship to Jamie Whincup in the final race of the 2017 season from a commanding position was heartbreaking. Surely the likeable McLaughlin is destined to win the title one day and if his car is again one of the quickest and he has some better luck, there’s no reason why that shouldn’t happen in 2018.

FABIAN COULTHARD

Team: DJR Team Penske

Car: Ford FG X Falcon Prospects: Having McLaughlin as a team-mate brought out the best in Coulthard, with the two Kiwis working well. Coulthard should be there or thereabouts again.

SHANE VAN GISBERGEN

Team: Triple Eight Race Engineering

Car: Holden ZB Commodore

Prospects: Had a great start last year, winning both races in Adelaide, but the rest of the season wasn’t so good and he was only ever on the fringes of being in contention for the title. Still, van Gisbergen will be exceptionally quick this year.

RICHIE STANAWAY

Team: Tickford Racing Car: Ford FG X Falcon.

Prospects: Over the past two seasons in the endurance rounds Stanaway proved he belonged in Supercars and has been rewarded with a seat in one of the top teams. He’ll go from driving against mainly co-drivers, to those in the main game, but there’s no reason why he won’t hold his own.

ANDRE HEIMGARTNER

Team: Nissan Motorsport Car: Nissan Altima

Prospects: When he was last a fulltime driver, with the low-budget Lucas Dumbell Motorsport team, it was no surprise he struggled. Now he’s at a team with serious money, we’ll get to see just how good he is.