Reigning Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin has issued an early warning to his rivals, declaring the new Mustang Supercar “a weapon”.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ford Australia officially took the wraps off the new car this week, following the release of images in camouflage colours late last year.
McLaughlin and DJR Team Penske won the 2018 Supercars title in the ageing FG X Falcon, which was in its fourth and final season of competition.
The 25-year-old drove the Mustang during its initial testing at Queensland Raceway and Phillip Island last November, ahead of its debut this season.
“Heading to Adelaide as Supercars champion is pretty cool,” he said of the upcoming season-opener.
“Being able to defend my title in the new Ford Mustang as it returns to touring car racing in Australia is very exciting for me, for the team, and everyone that’s in a Ford Mustang
“I think we’ve got a weapon on our hands and I’m just looking forward to getting on with it.”
DJRTP boss Ryan Story is also bullish about the new car’s potential, describing the expertise that has gone into its design as unmatched in the category’s history.
"We're going to be fighting really hard to win races in this car, because that's where it belongs. Mustang belongs on the top step of the podium,” he said.
"We can't underestimate the input of [Ford's United States-based racing arm] Ford Performance.
“They have done an extraordinary job in designing and developing this car and ensuring it's going to be competitive and ready to win when it rolls out onto the racetrack for the very first time.
"The level of expertise that has gone into this car is unsurpassed and unmatched in Supercars.
"The experience we have over the last few years of races and championships, we know how to get this thing done. We're going to give Mustang the results it deserves."
While Ford has launched the car wearing #1, McLaughlin will race with #17, keeping a tradition for team co-owner Dick Johnson that dates back to the 1970s.
Johnson is proud of McLaughlin’s decision to retain #17 and has also backed the look of the Mustang, which had been the subject of much social media debate last year.
“In my eyes, the new Mustang is one of the best Supercars we’ve ever seen,” said Johnson.
“It’s a great honour, from my point of view, that Scotty has decided to run the number 17.
“He could have chosen the number one, but he chose 17, and that makes me very proud.”