‘Unacceptable.’ McLaughlin slams death threats against team-mate
Bathurst champion Scott McLaughlin has revealed teammate Fabian Coulthard has been the subject of death threats following the safety car controversy that’s cast a shadow over the race.
The sport’s governing body is investigating the lap 135 incident, which saw third-placed Coulthard slow to a crawl when the safety car was deployed, while McLaughlin and Jamie Whincup were able to open up a large enough gap that they could pit without losing track position.
Coulthard had to serve a drivethrough penalty during the race, but stewards are investigating whether or not the team breached the rule prohibiting team orders. In the meantime, McLaughlin and Alex Premat’s win remains provisional.
The actions of DJR Team Penske drew strong criticism, with former winner Larry Perkins calling the move ‘‘disgraceful,’’ while Penrite Racing boss Barry Ryan said McLaughlin and Premat should be stripped of the win.
Speaking on The Loud Pedal podcast on Fox Sports, McLaughlin took aim at those taking a shot at DJR Team Penske.
‘‘There’s some people in other teams that should be focusing on their internal team issues before they kick on about us,’’ he said.
McLaughlin saved his biggest serve for the on-line trolls who’ve targeted Coulthard. ‘‘He’s struggling,’’ McLaughlin said. ‘‘It’s been bloody hard for him, for the team, for Alex and I too, it’s not the place we want to be in.
‘‘But what I’ll say is social media is out of control. So-called fans sending him death threats to drivers like Fabian is pathetic.
‘‘People sending that kind of bulls... to real people who have families, who have real lives, to deal with it … for me, it’s unacceptable.’’
McLaughlin said the controversy had overshadowed what should have been his biggest triumph.
‘‘We had the fastest car all weekend, we broke the lap record multiple times, we started from pole,’’ he said.
‘‘We did our best job when we could, we lived for the now on the fuel saving strategy and then at the end we got a fair crack with [Shane van Gisbergen] after the Safety Car restart.
‘‘We deserved to win that race. I believe we won it fair and square, it just sucks we have to deal with all this stuff and what probably should be the greatest week of my life.’’
‘‘I’m not going to lie, it has been a bit sad and it could have been a lot better for us to enjoy it.’’
‘‘I think from my point of view and Alex’s point of view, we have enjoyed it as a pairing.
‘‘But it has been a bit noisy and frustrating not to fully enjoy it.’’
Although the stewards can in theory impose any penalty they like, the chances of the win being taken
‘‘It’s been bloody hard for him, for the team, for Alex and I too, it’s not the place we want to be in.’’ Scott McLaughlin
away from McLaughlin and Premat are extremely slim.
Ford driver Lee Holdsworth was one who came to the defence of the DJR Team Penske drivers, telling Wide World of Sports any penalty should be imposed on the team.
‘‘The drivers, in my opinion, didn’t do anything wrong. Scott did his own thing, he was fast, he did everything right all weekend,’’ Holdsworth said.
‘‘Fabian was instructed to slow down, so as far as penalties are concerned, I don’t think the drivers should be penalised, but the team should be heavily penalised.’’ A final decision is expected before next weekend’s Gold Coast 600.