Pre-test laps for Premat

Alex Premat has stepped up his PIRTEK Enduro Cup preparations with a ride day today at Queensland Raceway.

Premat is driving Shell V-Power Racing's spare Mustang with passengers aboard ahead of the squad’s pre-enduro test on Monday.

The Frenchman has perennially found himself under pressure with each visit to Australia – and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

For the fourth straight year, Premat will act as co-driver in a championship-contending car.

In 2016, he was with Shane van Gisbergen at Triple Eight, before reuniting with ex-Garry Rogers Motorsport teammate Scott McLaughlin in the Shell V-Power Racing #17 the following year.

Two of Premat's last three enduro campaigns have formed key parts of an eventual title, in both ’16 and ’18.

Premat, 37, only arrived from Las Vegas early Thursday morning and wasted little time in getting on track.

“It’s always nice to just get back in the car and to see the operation of the team,” he told Supercars.com.

“I mean for sure it’s a ride day…. it’s not the same as it would be on a test but it’s always nice to be back behind the wheel.”

On the podium at Bathurst in 2018

Having already received praise from McLaughlin, who is 598 points ahead in the overall standings leading into the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 on October 10-13, Premat embraced the spotlight involved with his latest challenge.

“Even like when you do Le Mans with Audi Sport, I mean they’re spending like 150 million for a race, so for sure we know how to handle the pressure,” he said.

“Being in the best team with the best car with the best drivers, I mean you will always have pressure just to make sure you do the job well, but it’s even more relaxed because you feel everything is under control, you don’t have to overdrive.

“It’s better for sure.”

Beyond Supercars and Le Mans, Premat’s resume includes driving in GP2, being a Formula 1 test driver for Spyker in 2006 and now owning Vegas-based racing squad EXR Team by Premat.

McLaughlin has spoken of his intentions to launch an all-out attack for a maiden Bathurst crown; it’s a stance shared by Premat after his two podiums at the Mountain.

“We will give it a crack,” he said.

“It would be special for the legacy of Mustang, Ford and even for me as a Frenchman because none of the French guys have won Bathurst [before].”

Premat’s preparations for this year’s PIRTEK Enduro Cup included taking part in the rain-hit practice at Winton in May and a subsequent ride day at Calder.