Motorsport: McLaughlin pumped for Mustang return

Scott McLaughlin will drive a Mustang in the 2019 Supercars championship. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwi Supercars driver Scott McLaughlin has welcomed news he will be driving a Ford Mustang in next year's championship.

Ford announced on Tuesday that they will return to the Supercars category for the first time since 2014 and will supply Tickford Racing as well as McLaughlin's DJR Team Penske Racing with two-door Mustangs that will replace the FGX Falcons that have been used for the past few years.

"Yea it is awesome," McLaughlin told Radio Sport. "At the end of the day it has been one of those things where Ford has been off and on in the category to now bring back an iconic car, which made a massive comeback to the scene in Australia, New Zealand and American a couple of years ago, is pretty cool.

"I have driven some awesome cars in my time but this will be the coolest by a country mile.

"It has been an awesome thing with the fans.

"We have to finish this season off but it is an awesome way for 2019 to go ahead."

The return of Ford means the traditional rivalry with Holden will continue into the future. Holden have brought out a new shape ZB Commodore this year with impressive results out of the gate.

In a changing car market this news will be music to the ears of Supercars, with a meaningful championship locked in for the foreseeable future.

"It is awesome news for the category – it shows it is still recognized by the manufacturers," McLaughlin said.

"We need to build a fast race car and I am sure that Tickford, along with our team and Ford will work along the lines and get it right."

McLaughlin will have his focus very much on the Falcon and his 2018 campaign in the short-term however. After a bad opening round in Adelaide he has clawed his way back to sit second in the championship standings ahead of this weekend's round four at Phillip Island.

The Holden has certainly had the edge so far this season but McLaughlin expects the fast and flowing Phillip Island track to suit his car better.

"Heading to Phillip Island this weekend I think we actually have a really good shot at it," the 24-year-old championship runner-up explained. "It is a track I really enjoy as a driver and the team with the car as well.

"We have always been pretty quick there.

"It is very high speed so you need a lot of downforce but as well as that you need some engine power. We have always had really good engine power at DJR."