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Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin has revealed the impact the pressure of his title charge, and events of recent weeks, have taken on both himself and his family.
The Shell V-Power Racing Team driver formally sealed the 2019 Supercars title in Newcastle after mathematically putting it out of contention at the penultimate round in Sandown.
However, the lead-up to the season finale was marred by bickering on social media, which escalated on the Friday of the Coates Hire Newcastle 500.
Much of the focus centred on McLaughlin and DJR Team Penske, prompting the 26-year-old to brand it one of the toughest periods of his career.
“It’s been hard. It’s harder for me because my mum and dad, and Karly and my sister, they probably feel the pain more than I do, and that’s not on,” McLaughlin said.
“For me, as a person, it’s probably made me stronger I guess.
“The last three weeks or four weeks, especially probably this week, it’s been one of the hardest of my career, just off track wise.
“But (I’m) proud (of) getting through it and the person I’ve become through it, or tried to stay, and that’s the main thing.”
McLaughlin ended the 2019 campaign with a record total of 18 wins, which included a run of six straight from Barbagallo to Townsville, couple with most of the major ‘monuments’ of the sport.
He admitted, however, that it left a different feeling to his maiden crown from 2018.
“Euphoria’s definitely different,” he admitted when asked by Speedcafe.com how this year’s championship felt in comparison.
“I guess the first one’s always pretty cool, pretty lit up. This one, I think it’s cool because we got everything; we won (Darwin) Triple Crown, Bathurst, teams’ championship, and now drivers’.
“I’m just really proud of it all. There’s been a lot of talk and all that sort of stuff, but the thing we can be proudest of are the people that are behind it.”
Set to get married next month, McLaughlin is now looking forward to the break between seasons, an opportunity to put things into perspective before a renewed charge next season.
It led the 26-year-old to suggest the sport could take the opportunity to do the same, and rather than bickering among one another instead become role models.
“Banter’s great, we all do it, but I just hope we can come in with better perspective and have an idea of just being a professional for not only our sport and the younger drivers coming through, but also for other sports and athletes around the world,” he reasoned.
“I think we can really lead by example.
“This racing stuff’s really cool but the off track stuff’s really what matters and the person you become off track, and when you come back to the track is awesome.
“I’m looking forward to the break,” he added.
“I’m getting married but more so I’m just excited to come back stronger next year.
“I think we can really continue this trend and be right at the front again.
“There’s going to be other people coming to the front and especially with the shock (absorber) change and all that kind of stuff it’s going to be different.”
