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LESSONS LEARNT BY TEAMS FROM LAST YEAR

Fabian Coulthard believes teams have learnt from last year's tyre issues. Photo: LAT

By Heath McAlpine

Fabian Coulthard believes teams have learnt from last year's tyre issues. Photo: LAT

Fabian Coulthard believes teams have learnt from last year’s tyre issues. Photo: LAT

DJR Team Penske’s Fabian Coulthard believes teams have learnt from the tyre issues suffered at the Phillip Island round last year where many pushed the camber settings to the limit, leading to a high number of tyre blowouts across the two races.

After running on the rubber over the course of last season Coulthard said the teams have the knowledge to avoid the events that occurred 12 months ago.

“We have a better understanding of the tyre and its limits,” Coulthard said.

“We came here last year thinking the tyre could withstand more than what it could, we worked out pretty quickly it couldn’t.

“I think with all the other races we’ve done in the 2017 calendar and then to come back here a year later, I think a lot of people have a lot of knowledge with the tyre on how it can respond and what you can get away with, and what you can’t.”

“The cars are not as nice on the older tyre, I prefer the ’17 tyre,” Whincup. Photo: LAT

‘The cars are not as nice on the older tyre, I prefer the ’17 tyre,’ Whincup. Photo: LAT

Both Jamie Whincup and Scott McLaughlin agreed that they preferred the 2017-spec tyre but understood why the change had been made.

“The cars are not as nice on the older tyre, I prefer the ’17 tyre,” said Whincup.

“One tyre’s a 20-year-old construction, the other is a new construction, it’s just a much better feel, more of a racing tyre.

“Around this place you get amazing feedback through the 2017 tyre and it’s enjoyable to drive.

“It’s the same for everyone though, the conditions are the same, we’re all trying to go as hard as we can, but we just don’t get that thrill from last year.”

McLaughlin agreed with the champion expressing his disappointed at the change of tyre.

“I actually spoke to Kev [Dunlop tyre technician Kevin Fitzsimons] and said ‘I love that tyre, I don’t know why we changed back?’

“I understand why they’ve done it, but I really loved that tyre.”

McLaughlin starts today’s 57-lap race on Pole ahead of Whincup as Coulthard was penalised after an illegal wing adjustment was found post-Qualifying.

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