McLaughlin ‘at ease’ following maiden FG X laps

Scott McLaughlin says he feels at ease now that he has completed his maiden run in a DJR Team Penske Ford Falcon FG X during a private ride session at Queensland Raceway.

The Australian-based Kiwi quickly acclimatised to the Falcon by conducting a series of rides where he was able to work on adjusting the ergonomics inside the cockpit of the Ford.

McLaughlin was joined at the ride day by team-mate Fabian Coulthard and the team’s newly confirmed enduro drivers Alex Premat and Tony D’Alberto.

The quartet all enjoyed outings, regularly swapping between the #12 and #17 Falcons in searing conditions at the Queensland circuit.

McLaughlin reported that the Falcon did not feel too different from the Volvo he campaigned at Garry Rogers Motorsport.

“It is good to get an idea of the ergonomics of the car and where all the buttons and switches are and what it feels like,” McLaughlin told Speedcafe.com.

“It doesn’t sound like a Volvo any more so it will take a bit of getting used to but I’m happy.

“It puts your mind at ease a bit. Thankfully it is not too much different to my Volvo from what I have felt.

“Ergonomically, however, it is a lot different so I am getting used to that.

“It is cool to be behind the wheel of something different and it is good to hear a non flat plane crank engine again.”

Having commenced working with the team since the start of the year, McLaughlin says his transition has been straight forward so far.

“I’m really happy the team has been fantastic,” he added.

“I know a lot of the guys from when I was at other teams so it has probably been an easier transition than I thought it would be.”

McLaughlin is set to shakedown a brand new chassis which he will campaign this season prior to the official all-in teams test at Sydney Motorsport Park on February 21.

The ride day also allowed McLaughlin to reunite his partnership with Premat, who joins DJR Team Penske following a successful stint alongside Shane van Gisbergen at Triple Eight last year.

Premat enjoyed his first experience in a Ford Supercar having previously driven the Volvo S60 alongside McLaughlin and more recently Triple Eight Holden Commodores last year.

“All three cars I have driven have different details but I seem to fit pretty well in the car (Ford),” Premat told Speedcafe.com.

“I had good feel for the car but there are a few areas I need to work on.

“It does feel very similar to the Triple Eight Commodore and the car is very predictable.

“I’m really happy to spend some time with the team.”