The IndyCar star is presently holidaying in Australia on what’s his first journey again to his adopted dwelling since he moved to the USA two years in the past.
The journey can also be a possibility to reconnect with the Supercars paddock, one thing he partially did as a fan in the course of the current Gold Coast 500.
For the season-ending VALO Adelaide 500 McLaughlin will ramp up his interplay together with his former friends and rivals, taking part in an official position in TV broadcast, as well as being the event’s ‘fanbassador’, which includes signing sessions and appearances.
The one factor McLaughlin will not do earlier than heading again to the States, nevertheless, is spend any time behind the wheel of a racing automotive.
That is regardless of a revelation that Supercars approached him about testing one of many Gen3 prototypes forward of the introduction of the brand new guidelines subsequent season.
In accordance with McLaughlin he politely declined the provide primarily based on each contractual points and a scarcity of real want to drive one of many new vehicles.
“Probably not,” stated McLaughlin when requested by Motorsport.com if there was any actual consideration of a Gen3 take a look at.
“I imply, I used to be requested to, however contractually it simply did not work. And I did not actually need to.”
The contractual problem is more likely to be manufacturer-based; McLaughlin’s former Supercars employer Dick Johnson Racing is the Ford homologation workforce, whereas McLaughlin himself is now tied to Chevrolet via Crew Penske.
Which means a Gen3 outing would doubtlessly have wanted to be with Chevrolet homologation workforce Triple Eight.
In any case, McLaughlin added that he would not really feel his suggestions would profit the Gen3 improvement programme.
“They have some good drivers driving [the Gen3 prototypes] with heaps of expertise,” he stated.
“I might be saying comparable stuff to what these guys are saying. I am fairly completely happy simply watching it.”
As for chopping laps in any automotive whereas again in Australia, McLaughlin stated: “I’ve acquired the stuff to do it, however I am not likely . I simply need to take pleasure in my time hanging out.
“I used to be on the Gold Coast 500 the opposite week and I simply loved the race. I used to be a fan and I beloved it. I had no inkling… possibly a bit little bit of itchy ft for qualifying… however I believe, in the end, I am having fun with the spectacle of all of it and seeing a unique aspect of it.
“I have not spoken about getting within the automotive and there is not likely a need to do this.”
McLaughlin final drove a Supercar on the 2020 Bathurst 1000, which was the season finale on a closely COVID-affected schedule.
He instantly left for the States after that race and has since change into a real front-runner as a part of Crew Penske’s IndyCar programme.
He now has three IndyCar race wins to his identify and was a title-contender this season earlier than in the end lacking out to teammate Will Energy.
The previous two years McLaughlin has been linked to a Bathurst 1000 co-drive with Dick Johnson Racing, however every time has opted to remain within the States and concentrate on his IndyCar programme.
