“Disgraceful”: Bathurst tactics under review as McLaughlin claims controversial win
Officials are set to re-open an investigation into Supercars driver Fabian Coulthard’s “disgraceful” behaviour during a late safety car period at the Bathurst 1000.
Coulthard is allegedly being looked into after he decided to slow down dramatically and hold up the field behind his Ford teammate Scott McLaughlin, who went to claim his maiden Great Race on Sunday.
He was hit with a drive-through penalty during the race as he breached safety car procedures, but officials are now taking a look at the incident for the second time to see if it influenced the outcome of the 161-lap race.
Coming third-place at the time, Coulthard slowed down and backed up the rest of the field as top two Jamie Whincup and McLaughlin raced to their garage for a pit stop to get much-needed fuel during the safety car period with 26 laps left.
His slow pace ensured he avoided double stacking or being forced to wait behind his teammate McLaughlin in the pits.
The team radio showed van Gisbergen was furious about Coulthard’s scheme. “Fabian is going stupidly slow,” he said.
“Fabian should get a penalty for that, going stupidly slow. That was shocking.”
McLaughlin later went on to claim his first Bathurst title by beating Gisbergen by 0.68 seconds.
Supercars legend Larry Perkins said Coulthard’s actions were “disgraceful” on Sunday night.