Solid start to McLaughlin/Lacroix alliance

Scott McLaughlin has applauded the work of new engineer Ludo Lacroix after an impressive start to their partnership at the Sydney Motorsport Park official tyre test.

Lacroix was confirmed yesterday as McLaughlin’s engineer on the #17 DJR Team Penske Falcon following his high profile defection from Triple Eight.

The test presented the first real chance for the pair to work together as new DJRTP signing McLaughlin continues his transition to the team.

It proved to be a productive day with the Kiwi ninth fastest in the morning session, before ending the day second overall behind Rick Kelly, courtesy of a late run on the new 2017 Dunlop super-soft tyres.

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While there were some communication niggles between the Frenchman at first, McLaughlin was impressed at the speed with which the relationship is beginning to gel.

“Ludo did a fantastic job and he got the car in the window for me,” McLaughlin told Speedcafe.com.

“I think we are just learning each other. We have both told each other to slow down our talking as we both speak really fast.

“However, I told him what I thought and he got the car to a point and window that I really liked.

“I’m pretty stoked to be able to do that on the first day. It was a good start to the relationship.”

McLaughlin was also encouraged by the pace on display from both DJRTP Falcons after only testing the new tyres late in the afternoon session.

Team-mate Fabian Coulthard was third fastest just 0.07s shy of the pace set by Kelly’s Nissan Altima on the same tyres.

“We focussed a lot on understanding the car and what the changes did,” McLaughlin added.

“For us the and the whole engineering group it is good for the two cars to be up there and I feed off Fabs (Fabian Coulthard) and he feeds off me.

“It is encouraging to see that the cars have pace.”

The real test for the squad will arrive at next week’s Clipsal 500 season opener in Adelaide from March 2-5.

VIDEO: McLaughlin and Coulthard disect the official tyre test