Motorsport: McLaughlin wants to make most of advantage

Scott McLaughlin during qualifying forthe Tasmania SuperSprint. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwi Supercars driver Scott McLaughlin is hoping to take full advantage of his Shell V-Power Ford's undoubted speed at this weekend's Supercars round at Barbagallo Raceway north of Perth.

McLaughlin and Kiwi teammate Fabian Coulthard appear to have the fastest cars in the field at present but didn't maxmimise that edge at Phillip Island a fortnight ago.

The 23-year-old lies fifth in the standings at the moment while Coulthard holds a narrow seven-point lead atop the leaderboard.

"We've got a really good package under us and we are starting to understand it a lot more," McLaughlin told Radio Sport.

"Ludo [engineer Ludo Lacroix] is starting to understand me and what I want from the car, which is good.

"We are just getting stronger and stronger, which hopefully pays dividends later in the season."

Lacroix made the move to Shell V-Power Racing from rivals Triple Eight and ruffled a few feathers with his departure from the Holden outfit.

The Frenchman's recruitment plus the improved speed in 2017 has the pack talking about how to keep pace with Queensland-based team.

"I guess we are in a few people's minds at the moment but we just have to iron out a few things," McLaughlin said.

"I guess that comes from being a new team and with new personnel.

"We have got the speed, which is normally the hard thing to get, so hopefully we'll be alright."

McLaughlin has a race win and a couple of pole positions to his name at the Western Australian circuit and enjoys the challenges it presents.

"It is a completely different track with a very abrasive surface and quite a short lap.

"We have got our pros and cons that we want out of the car and I've spoken to Ludo about that and he is trying to put that in the car so that initially we have a good set-up straight out of the truck.

"Strategy-wise it is going to be massive with saving your tyres and looking after them over the run because whoever does that best is probably going to win the race."