Ryan Story’s high praise for Coulthard

Shell V-Power Racing managing director Ryan Story has praised stalwart driver Fabian Coulthard’s contribution as “critical” as it readies for a defence of its teams’ title in 2020.

While teammate Scott McLaughlin took the majority of the plaudits in 2019, winning a record 18 races en route to a second straight drivers’ championship, Coulthard accrued enough points in the #12 Mustang to stave off a late Red Bull Holden Racing Team challenge.

The 37-year-old recovered from a mid-season lull to secure fourth in the championship and was the highest scoring driver at the Newcastle finale in November.

It helped him buck renewed pressure and take momentum into 2020, when he will continue at the Shell squad for a fifth season.

“He’s had his fair share of bad luck and sometimes we haven’t necessarily given him the car or we’ve had failings that have held him back, made errors in pitlane that have held him back, but there’s a reason why he’s continuing with us,” Story told Supercars.com.

“He’s a tremendous driver, he is great in the car, he’s also great outside the car and that’s critical to our organisation.

“It’s not just the ability to get the job done on the race track, it’s the ability to service and ensure that our partners’ needs and aspirations are met.

“He’s a great ambassador for our business.”

Next year will be Coulthard’s fourth season as teammates with McLaughlin, with the Kiwi pair forming a good working relationship that also netted the 2017 teams’ championship.

Coulthard is set to again be joined by co-driver Tony D’Alberto for the PIRTEK Enduro Cup, the pair having one Bathurst podium finish together two years back.