Scott McLaughlin regains control in C1 at Phillip Island

The contrast is almost striking between the new demonstration of Scott McLaughlin (DJR Team Penske – Ford Mustang) and the rout of Jamie Whincup (Red Bull Holden Racing – Holden Commodore).

The first city, beaten in race 2 in Tasmania, achieved its 7th success of the season in Supercars this Saturday morning, after having already taken pole position in qualifying. Leader after the lights went out against his teammate Fabian Coulthard, the New Zealander dominated the first part of the race until the first passage through the pit lane.

A burst of stops which did not upset the hierarchy at the front between the two leading Ford Mustangs, while for third place André Heimgartner took the advantage over his Kelly Racing teammate, Rick Kelly.

The first big upset of the race came shortly after, when Jamie Whincup lost a wheel on his Holden Commodore on lap 14, causing the safety car to enter the track.

Bad to worse for Whincup.

He's parked up after the front right wheel parts company with his Commodore.#VASC pic.twitter.com/1YBVnja6Ez

— Supercars (@supercars) April 13th

On the restart, McLaughlin remained in the lead ahead of Coulthard and crossed the line as winner ahead of his teammate and Heimgatner, who gave Kelly Racing's Nissan Altima its first podium of the year.

The top 5 is completed by David Reynolds (Erebus Motorsport – Holden) and Chaz Mostert (Tickford Racing – Ford). Shane van Gisbergen places the first Holden Commodore of Red Bull Holden Racing in 6th place, while Mark Winterbottom (Charlie Schwerkolt Racing – Holden) experienced the same misfortune as Whincup with the loss of a wheel.

You wouldn't read about it, two in a race.

Winterbottom has now lost a wheel.#VASC pic.twitter.com/5rW07qXhH8

— Supercars (@supercars) April 13th

In the championship, McLaughlin is 136 points ahead of Coulthard before the second race of the weekend at Phillip Island, scheduled for this Sunday.

Race 1 ranking