Red Bull's wins in Phillip Island overshadowed by race-one feud
Red Bull Racing Australia have proven unstoppable in races one and two of the WD-40 Phillip Island — a win a piece going to drivers Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup.
A pair of podium finishes for Volvo pilot Scott McLaughlin, third in race one complimented by second in race two, made him the leading New Zealander — but it was an incident in the opening race involving fellow Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen that hogged the media limelight.
Craig Lowndes. Photo / V8 Supercars
After a race-long battle with Bottle-O Racing driver David Reynolds for fourth place, van Gisbergen appeared to turn around the Pukekohe race winner while navigating the high-speed turn eight on the approach to Lukey Heights.
Though Reynolds was able to keep his Falcon off the concrete, he was far from impressed with the incident when approached after the race.
"[van Gisbergen] was drilling me a few corners before, then he drilled me in Siberia. He must've just got the tiniest overlap. I dunno — I was just turned around at high speed. It's just a really really silly thing. Really stupid," said Reynolds.
"The good drivers in the field, they can pass you and not crash into you. Obviously I just got a bad one beside me."
"He's dead to me bro. Dead to me."
The incident is currently being evaluated by officials, with van Gisbergen likely to lose his fourth-place finish in race one.
Shane van Gisbergen. Photo / V8 Supercars
While the racing for the minor placings was occasionally heated, things at the front were much simpler. On both occasions, the car that made the best start and won the run to turn one was able to hold on for the win.
"It was all about getting off the line. The car was quick again. That was good — a good feeling," said Whincup after sealing victory in race two.
McLaughlin was less happy with his pair of podium placings, but was relieved nonetheless after a difficult season.
"God damn I've got to work on those starts! I don't care about the second," laughed McLaughlin after race two.
"It was good to have pace. Us three [McLaughlin, Lowndes, and Whincup] just walked away, and that was fun."
Championship leader Mark Winterbottom was able to steer clear of trouble to clock in two top-ten drives — seventh in race one, and fourth in race two.
The third and final race of the weekend takes place tomorrow afternoon, at 4.10pm.
Results
Race one
1. Craig Lowndes
2. Jamie Whincup
3. Scott McLaughlin
4. Shane van Gisbergen*
5. James Moffat
6. James Courtney
7. Mark Winterbottom
8. Garth Tander
9. Cameron Waters
10. Tim Slade
Race two
1. Jamie Whincup
2. Scott McLaughlin
3. Craig Lowndes
4. Mark Winterbottom
5. David Reynolds
6. Scott Pye
7. Michael Caruso
8. Rick Kelly
9. Shane van Gisbergen
10. James Courtney
*position subject to post-race investigation