McLaughlin: Holden farewell pressure on van Gisbergen
There is pressure on Shane van Gisbergen to deliver for Holden despite winning the title, says Scott McLaughlin.
Van Gisbergen can attack in Adelaide given the drivers’ and teams’ championships have been secured.
McLaughlin faced a similar scenario when he clinched the 2019 and 2020 titles with a round to spare.
However, van Gisbergen and his fellow Holden drivers are under pressure to deliver on the brand’s final outing.
The VALO Adelaide 500 is Holden's final round before the Chevrolet Camaro arrives in 2023.
Van Gisbergen has done the lion’s share of winning for Holden since he joined Triple Eight in 2016.
He has won a record 21 races this season, and has also claimed Holden's 450th, 500th, 550th and 600th wins.
Van Gisbergen on track on Thursday
The Kiwi has also delivered Holden’s last championship and Bathurst win.
Given his dominance, van Gisbergen is almost expected to win Holden’s last race.
That, according to McLaughlin, comes with pressure — but remained adamant a "relaxed" van Gisbergen will prove hard to beat in Adelaide.
It comes as van Gisbergen will carry the champion’s #1 and a special livery, all in tribute to Holden.
"You’d think he’d come here without any pressure," McLaughlin said on the broadcast.
"But there’s a bit of pressure there… they’re the Holden team, as such.
"Shane’s going be wanting to send Holden out on a good note, at Holden’s ultimate home ground.
"He’s a dangerous man when he’s relaxed too, though.
"If he’s happy, if he’s relaxed, it’s formidable for the rest of the weekend.
"He’s Shane, he’s going to come out and be as strong as he can."
The two New Zealanders reunited for an interview, which will be shown during this weekend’s Adelaide Shane van Gisbergenbroadcast.
Van Gisbergen then turned his attention to the racing, and immediately laid down the gauntlet.
The 33-year-old enjoyed big margins over the field in Thursday’s Practice 1.
A late red flag masked several drivers’ last efforts — van Gisbergen included — making for an unknown form guide.
Should van Gisbergen’s pace prove true, Mark Skaife reiterated McLaughlin’s sentiment.
"At one point, he was four tenths faster than the field," Skaife said.
"Then at another point in the session, he was three tenths faster than the field.
"I’d say, ‘Look out’."
Cars will return to the Adelaide Parklands Circuit for Practice 2 on Friday at 1:15pm local time.
Friday’s schedule will also feature ARMOR ALL Qualifying for Race 33 at 5:35pm.
Tickets for the VALO Adelaide 500 are on sale on Supercars.com and Ticketek.com.
