COULTHARD’S LAST DITCH HOPE
Fabian Coulthard’s last ditch hope – Photo: LAT
DJR reject Fabian Coulthard is still hoping to secure a full-time drive next year as desirable drives disappear.
By MARK FOGARTY
AUTO ACTION has learned that Coulthard rejected an offer to stay with Penske-less Dick Johnson Racing as a co-driver.
His only options now are Team Sydney and Matt Stone Racing
Experienced co-drivers will be in more demand than ever in 2021 because the Bathurst 1000 will be the only two-driver race.
But Coulthard rejected the offer to stay with the front-running Ford team as a co-driver, taking his chances in the volatile driver market.
After five years with DJR Team Penske, Coulthard was dumped with the change of ownership, replaced by Will Davison.
The new old-look DJR will be headed by Anton De Pasquale, seen as Supercars’ next superstar driver.
AA understands Coulthard was offered the co-drive with De Pasquale, but decided to pursue a full-time drive.
Multi-race winner ‘Fabs’ was thought to be a contender to return to BJR or join the Blanchard’s family’s new CoolDrive team.
But BJR has filled its line-up – Nick Percat, Todd Hazelwood, Macauley Jones and Jack Smith – and Tim Slade is set to return in the solo CoolDrive Mustang.
That leaves Coulthard’s options as Team Sydney or MSR.
Neither, to be fair, would be ideal for a driver of his calibre, but they are the only seats left of he wants to continue as a series regular.
Coulthard was always on the precipice at DJRTP, chosen in 2016 because McLaughlin wasn’t available until the following year.
He was set to be replaced this year until Chaz Mostert declined a lucrative offer, joining WAU instead.
Fabs is holding out for a full-time drive, but if he doesn’t get it, he will go into the co-driver market as a highly prized acquisition.
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