'Ambiguous': Massive rule change twist in Bathurst 1000 controversy

Supercars officials have flagged the possibility of changes to a controversial rule at the centre of the Bathurst 1000 dramas.

Scott McLaughlin was allowed to keep his Bathurst title but his Ford outfit DJR Team Penske paid a heavy price for their controversial safety car tactics at Mount Panorama.

Governing body Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) announced they had fined McLaughlin's team $250,000 and deducted 300 championship points for an FIA International Sporting Code breach in The Great Race three weeks ago.

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McLaughlin emerged unscathed but Ford teammate Fabian Coulthard was demoted from sixth in the Bathurst results to 21st after his safety car "go slow", effectively relegating him to last after five of the 26-strong field failed to finish.

In response to the findings, the Supercars commission has confirmed it will review the rules around team orders.

The charge from CAMS was based on the "ambiguous terms" and “unclear wording” of Rule D24, which states: “An instruction to a driver or team member, either verbal or otherwise the effect of which may interfere with a race result.

“It is not permitted for any sponsor, supplier, entity or related entity, including an automobile manufacturer, importer or their representative to impose or seek to impose team orders, on any team.”

Supercars officials have now moved to address the grey area.

"The stewards have asked us to go away and have a look at the resolution between the International Sporting Code and the rulebook," Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said, according to Motorsport.com.

“I think that's what implied in the stewards statement. We'll review that at the Commission and see what needs to be done in terms of that reconciliation between the ISC and the rulebook.”

Officials may also change the rules around what can be done during safety car periods, including the possibility of pit-lane closures.

“The technical department is working with race control to see what technologies and processes could be put in place to improve the deployment and management of the field under a Safety Car,” Seamer said.

“We'll have to wait and see what they come back with, because there is a bit of work to be done on reconciliation of manual flagging and automated systems.

"It would be remiss of us not to review it, given the impact it's having on the delivery of the product to the fans. So of course we've got to take a look at it and see if we can do better.”

Why McLaughlin kept his title

There were fears McLaughlin may be stripped of his maiden Bathurst win when officials announced the results would remain provisional after initially charging his team with breaching team orders regulations over Coulthard's safety car controversy.

A then third-placed Coulthard copped flak after he dramatically slowed down during a safety car period - in which cars can't overtake - and held up the Bathurst field behind his teammate McLaughlin with 26 of the race's 161 laps left.

His tactics eliminated the fuel advantage of hard charging Holden star Shane van Gisbergen who eventually finished second, just 0.68 seconds behind McLaughlin.

DJR Team Penske initially claimed they asked Coulthard to slow down due to debris on the track and concerns for an overheating engine.

But Supercars legend Larry Perkins slammed the team, saying their tactics were "disgraceful".

The CAMS verdict stated that officials were "prepared to assume that there was no intention to advantage Car #17 (McLaughlin)" when DJR Team Penske ordered Coulthard to slow down.

But CAMS CEO Eugene Arocca said the team was still found guilty of breaching the FIA's Obligation of Fairness regulations by slowing down, hitting them with the heaviest penalties that could be applied for the offence.

"The penalty issued today regarding the breach of the FIA International Sporting Code Appendix B reflects the serious nature of the incident that took place at the Supercheap Bathurst 1000," he said in a statement.

The CAMS verdict said Coulthard was also penalised because he was "deemed to be somewhat complicit in the breach".

with AAP