MCLAUGHLIN SLAMS CRITICS
Scott McLaughlin slams critics – Photo: LAT
America-bound Scott McLaughlin has delivered a parting shot to his detractors as he prepares for what will potentially be his Supercars swansong at next week’s Bathurst 1000.
By MARK FOGARTY
Still bitter about his title credentials being questioned last year, McLaughlin declared: “It hurt. We didn’t get the credit we deserved.”
He also called out the back-handed praise of many of his peers. “I know how drivers work,” he asserted.
On top of his third straight V8 crown, McLaughlin desperately wants to go back-to-back at Bathurst before he jets off to the States for his IndyCar racing debut, which is regarded as a prelude to a full-time switch next year.
While acknowledging that this undisputed Supercars championship is more satisfying than last year’s controversial title, he still resents the questions over his success and criticism of DJR Team Penske throughout 2019.
The season was racked by rancour over the Ford Mustang’s performance advantage and DJRTP’s rule-bending at Bathurst.
An otherwise upbeat McLaughlin, who described his latest triumph as “right up there” with his redemptory first title in 2018, slammed the innuendo and outright accusations directed at DJRTP.
“It hurt last year,” he admitted. “I felt like we did a good job. In ’18 there was a car that came out that was unbelievable (ZB Commodore) and we beat that car, and then we came out with a car that was even better in ’19 and we proved how good they had it and we won a lot.
“There were complaints up and down pit road, not just from one team, but also from a lot of others and it hurt as a driver. But to see a team go through that, not given the credit that they deserved, was even worse.
“They gave me a great car every week and then to get no credit for it was quite difficult. It just wasn’t what we deserved.”
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