Fabian Coulthard leads Kiwi 1–2 in Phillip Island practice, Red Bull struggling

Shell V-Power Racing drivers Fabian Coulthard and Scott McLaughlin have finished first and second at the end of Friday practice play at the WD-40 Phillip Island SuperSprint. 

It had been forecast that McLaughlin would lead practice, given his strong record at the iconic circuit (having claimed pole for every race since 2016). However, a late time from his teammate knocked the series leader out of first place. 

Behind them, the Red Bull Holden Racing Team struggled. Just one car, Shane van Gisbergen, made it into the top 10 in second practice, with Whincup in 11th. 

The first practice of the day was topped by Erebus Motorsport's Anton De Pasquale, nipping in late in the session with a 1:31.3181 to lead Will Davison, Rick Kelly, and McLaughlin. 

Shane van Gisbergen, Lee Holdsworth, Chaz Mostert, Mark Winterbottom, Scott Pye, and Cameron Waters rounded out the opening top 10 — Richie Stanaway, Fabian Coulthard, and Andre Heimgartner completed the Kiwis in 12th, 13th, and 15th respectively. 

But while practice one was a simple affair where each team would improve their car's settings, practice two would impact tomorrow's qualifying. The top 10 would get an automatic entry into 'Q2' tomorrow, as part of the category's new format designed to reduce the impact of traffic. 

McLaughlin's form at the Victorian circuit made him one to watch for the closing practice session. And naturally, with 17 minutes to go, he rocketed to the top of the time-sheets via a 1:31.367.

It was a largely straightforward 30-minute test. One of the few scary moments centred around Tim Slade, who out-braked himself early on at turn two — sliding wide through the sand-trap. There were no red flags for incidents, but there was one in each session for local geese strutting around on the track. 

In session two the bird-prompted red flag came with just 10 minutes to go. The awkward timing ensured a chaotic final few minutes, and the surprise outcome was that McLaughlin wouldn't lead when the dust settled. 

Instead it was teammate Coulthard at the top of the tree on a 1:30.180 — the fastest time of the day. McLaughlin held second over Waters, Kelly, and Davison in fifth. Holdsworth, De Pasquale, Todd Hazelwood, Mostert, and van Gisbergen rounded out the top 10 who would automatically progress to Q2 in Saturday qualifying. 

Particularly impressive once again in that group was Hazelwood, who was the leading Triple Eight Holden ZB Commodore; Jamie Whincup and Mark Winterbottom down in 11th and 18th. Heimgartner and Stanaway rounded out the Kiwis, finishing 13th and 21st.

Practice 1 results, WD-40 Phillip Island SuperSprint