Officials are set to re-open an investigation into Supercars driver Fabian Coulthard’s “disgraceful” actions during a late safety car period at the Bathurst 1000.
It is believed stewards will take a second look at Coulthard’s decision to slow down dramatically and hold up the field behind his Ford teammate Scott McLaughlin, who went on to claim his maiden Great Race on Sunday.
Officials hit Coulthard with a drive-through penalty during the race for breach of safety car procedures but are expected to have a second look at the incident to see if it influenced the outcome of the 161-lap race.
A then third-placed Coulthard controversially 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.
At the time Coulthard looked to have ensured a two horse race between Whincup and McLaughlin for the title after his go slow approach during the yellow flag ensured a huge gap between a hard charging Shane van Gisbergen and the leading duo.
Coulthard’s snail’s pace also ensured he avoided double stacking, or waiting behind his teammate McLaughlin in the pits.
McLaughlin went on to hold out a fast finishing van Gisbergen by 0.68 seconds to claim his first Bathurst crown.
Supercars legend Larry Perkins branded Coulthard’s actions as “disgraceful” on Sunday night.
Coulthard may face further sanctions after stewards re-opened the probe but his team, DJR Team Penske, dismissed the incident on Sunday night.
“Look I am not sure if that made the difference to who won the race,” said American motorsport great Roger Penske, the majority owner of Coulthard’s team DJR Team Penske.
“We can look at it and talk about it but it is secondary as far I am concerned when you think about it.
Everyone had a chance, and the two top duelled it out in the end and the outcome was what we wanted.”
Coulthard’s team boss Ryan Story insisted there was a problem with overheating in the car at the time of the controversy.
Coulthard said he took it slow because he was unaware of the location of the incident which had caused the safety car.
Van Gisbergen clearly wasn’t happy about the incident.
“We got held up in the safety car by someone, it made it tough (to win),” said the Holden star, who is yet to win a Bathurst 1000.
“(But) that car (Coulthard) has been the sacrificial lamb all year (for DJR Team Penske).”
-AAP
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