How Swede it is.
Kiwi young gun Scott McLaughlin showed his qualifying form was no fluke by capping Volvo’s remarkable V8 Supercars return with a race-two runner-up placing in the season opener in Adelaide on Saturday.
The Swedish manufacturer could not have impressed more in their first touring car sighting Down Under in 28 years by also notching seventh place thanks to 20-year-old McLaughlin in the opening 125km event on the notorious street circuit.
Holden’s Red Bull Racing juggernaut rolled on with Jamie Whincup making the perfect start to his quest of claiming an unprecedented sixth touring car title by taking out race one ahead of teammate Craig Lowndes.
Veteran Lowndes turned the tables by claiming line honours in the second 39-lap event – the first twilight V8 race held – with Whincup third.
However, it appears traditional powerhouses Red Bull won’t have it all their own way in 2014 following Volvo’s stunning arrival.
As long shadows engulfed the race two field, McLaughlin looked to shed some light on who would finally challenge Red Bull this year.
Car of the Future regulations and the return of Nissan and Mercedes last year ensured one of the closest title fights in touring car history, with 17 different race winners.
Yet Whincup still emerged triumphant overall – claiming his fifth championship in six years.
To boot, teammate Lowndes, a three-time touring car champion, was runner-up for the third straight season.
However, fast learner Volvo now loom as a huge threat in Red Bull’s rearview mirror judging by their scintillating Adelaide pace.
Usually the butt of motorists’ jokes, Volvo have ensured rivals will be taking their title tilt very seriously after their Adelaide debut.
Lowndes took race two line honours by almost five seconds but all eyes were on McLaughlin’s riveting stoush with Whincup for second.
And veteran Whincup looked to have the youngster’s measure at the death, overtaking the flying Kiwi on one of the final turns only for McLaughlin to incredibly outgun the V8 great bringing the Adelaide faithful to their feet.
Volvo’s arrival brought to five the number of manufacturers on a reduced 25-car grid in 2014 – something not seen since 1992 when Ford, Nissan, BMW, Holden and a Toyota were part of the field.
But it seemed like business as usual after race one when Whincup claimed line honours ahead of Lowndes and fellow Holden driver Shane van Gisbergen.
However, McLaughlin ensured the form guide for race two – and possibly the season – was thrown out the window with his heroics, much to the delight of a cheering Adelaide crowd.
The moment became too much for McLaughlin, who accidentally dropped the F-bomb on live television – and broadcast on the Adelaide circuit’s PA system – as he reflected on his race-two effort.
The Adelaide round will be completed by a 250km race on Sunday.
