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Scott McLaughlin wins Bathurst 1000 amid 'disgraceful' sportsmanship storm

sam goodwin
Sports Editor

Scott McLaughlin has won his maiden Bathurst 1000 in controversial fashion after teammate Fabian Coulthard caused anger late in the Great Race.

Ford's McLaughlin held out Holden star Shane van Gisbergen by 0.68 of a second on Sunday, with veteran James Courtney third.

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It marked the defending series champion’s maiden Bathurst title in his seventh attempt, with help from co-driver Alex Premat.

However Holden fans were left seething over the tactics employed by McLaughlin and Coulthard’s Shell V Power team.

Coulthard appeared to deliberately drive slowly late in the race in an attempt to create a buffer for teammate McLaughlin.

Scott McLaughlin, pictured here winning the Bathurst 1000 after Fabian Coulthard caused controversy.
Scott McLaughlin won the Bathurst 1000 after Fabian Coulthard caused controversy. Image: Getty/Supercars

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The final two hours of the Great Race were plagued by a number of crashes, most notably Chaz Mostert wiping out Tickford teammate Cam Waters on lap 125.

But just moments later there were bizarre scenes after Alexander Rossi crashed and sparked a safety car.

Coulthard was in third place behind McLaughlin and Jamie Whincup but caused a huge pile-up behind him as the safety car period started, deliberately driving slowly to open up a gap for McLaughlin in front of him.

Shane van Gisbergen was left raging, unable to overtake Coulthard and gain ground on the leaders.

Commentators couldn’t believe what they were seeing, with commentator Neil Crompton relaying a text message he’d received from Supercars legend Larry Perkins describing Coulthard’s actions as an ‘absolute disgrace’.

Coulthard was hit with a drive-through penalty for his troubles, while his team boss later admitted to the cheeky tactic.

McLaughlin went on to claim victory in a final-lap shootout with Van Gisbergen after yet another safety car brought the result down to the wire.

However fans were absolutely seething by the Coulthard dramas.

‘Absolute disaster’ as Mostert wipes out Waters

Mostert and Waters were both well in contention to podium before disaster struck with just 30 laps to go.

Mostert was attempting to overtake his Tickford teammate at the end of Conrod Straight but locked up and ploughed into the back of Waters.

Both cars went spinning across the track and into the sand, where they both remained.

“That’s unbelievable,” Mark Skaife said in commentary.

“Absolute disaster. Oh God. Cam Waters will be absolutely fuming.”

Neil Compton added: "I do not believe it. Tim Edwards, Rod Nash, and the respective crews will be ropeable.”

"It's turned into a horror story for Chaz Mostert."