Volvo Polestar Racing scores first V8 Supercars victory

Volvo Polestar Racing scored its first V8 Supercars victory in the final race of the Formula 1 weekend in Melbourne.

Racing driver Scott McLaughlin crossed the finishing line first in a Volvo S60 Polestar V8 after 12 laps to score Volvo’s first racing victory in Australia since 1999, one second ahead of Red Bull Racing driver Craig Lowndes.

“This is just unbelievable, something you never forget! The car was fantastic, an awesome day for everyone at GRM and Polestar,” said McLaughlin after the race.

“A fantastic effort by Scott and everyone in the team,” said Christian Dahl, owner of Polestar. “This has been an amazing journey so far and it is for sure looking bright for the remainder of the season.”

The 20-year-old New Zealander started from fourth on the grid and gained one position at the start of the race. He made his way past Shane Van Gisbergen in a Holden Commodore, who won the first three races, and Fabian Coulthard who is also in a Commodore, two laps later, and then went into a lead he was never to lose.

”We made a few changes overnight and the guys gave me a great car. I could control the race all the way and I am just so stoked,” said McLaughlin.

Team mate Robert Dahlgren started the weekend strongly by qualifying just one position outside the top 10 for the first race in 11th position, five tenths from pole. The Swede dropped positions in the four races to finish 18th at best, with one retirement in the final race due to a damaged rim.

“I’ve had a tough weekend in terms of results. But I’ve had a very good weekend behind the scenes in terms of getting to know the car and moving it forward. I just can’t wait to get to the next race to materialise this,” said Dahlgren.

The Melbourne Formula 1 weekend resulted in four top five positions, two podium finishes, one fastest lap and a victory for McLaughlin in only the second ever race weekend for the new Volvo S60 Polestar V8 Supercar, sending a message of strength for the races ahead in the 2014 season.

“We got to keep pushing, but I definitely think we have got a championship challenger on our hands. I am very much ready for the next race,” said McLaughlin.

The championship continues in two weeks with the Tyrepower Tasmania 400.

Race 1 Results – Top 5

1 Shane Van Gisbergen Holden Commodore 10 laps
2 Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore +6.1803
3 Scott McLaughlin Volvo S60 +7.1881
4 Michael Caruso Nissan Altima +7.4849
5 Fabian Coulthard Holden Commodore +8.0388

Race 2 Results – Top 5

1 Shane Van Gisbergen Holden Commodore 12 laps
2 Craig Lowndes Holden Commodore +0.5519
3 Fabian Coulthard Holden Commodore +1.8593
4 Michael Caruso Nissan Altima +2.6717
5 Scott McLaughlin Volvo S60 +3.6196

Race 3 Results – Top 5

1 Shane Van Gisbergen Holden Commodore 12 laps
2 Fabian Coulthard Holden Commodore +0.500
3 Craig Lowndes Holden Commodore +0.972
4 Scott McLaughlin Volvo S60 +5.310
5 Garth Tander Holden Commodore +5.985

Race 4 Results – Top 5

1 Scott McLaughlin Volvo S60 12 laps
2 Craig Lowndes Holden Commodore +1.0865
3 Michael Caruso Nissan Altima +6.6923
4 Garth Tander Holden Commodore +6.5954
5 Fabian Coulthard Holden Commodore +7.3600