Scott McLaughlin and Alex Premat claimed a landmark victory in the Bathurst 1000 after a 6 hour and 27 minute contest that was ultimately decided in a one lap sprint to the flag.
The #17 Dick Johnson Racing Team Penske Ford Mustang crossed the line just 0.6800 seconds ahead of Shane van Gisbergen and Garth Tander in the #97 Red Bull Holden Racing Team Commodore. James Courtney and Jack Perkins completed the podium in the #2 Walkinshaw Andretti United entry.
A late safety car period set up the grandstand finish, neutralising the field with just three laps remaining. When racing resumed for a single lap dash, McLaughlin held firm under pressure from van Gisbergen to secure his first Bathurst crown.
The result marked Ford’s first Bathurst win since 2014 and the first victory from pole position in the Great Race since 2009. It was also the first Bathurst triumph for DJR under the Team Penske partnership, 25 years after Dick Johnson’s squad last won at Mount Panorama.
“I can’t believe I won the bloody Bathurst 1000,” McLaughlin said post race. “We had such a good car all week. I’m so proud of everyone. We made a bloody good car. I’ve dreamt about this.”
Premat added: “That was so stressful, that was insane. I am so happy to win this race. It’s magic.”
Early drama and strategy swings
The race began in unusual fashion, with the start procedure aborted after Brodie Kostecki experienced carbon monoxide exposure on the formation lap. His #56 entry was forced to stop before the race began properly, leading to a 15 minute delay.
Once underway, the opening lap was immediately neutralised following heavy contact at The Cutting involving the #14 BJR car of Tim Slade and Ash Walsh. A prolonged green flag period then followed, allowing fuel and tyre strategies to develop.
An early off for Premat at The Chase handed the lead temporarily to the #888 Red Bull Holden Racing Team entry of Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes. Meanwhile, van Gisbergen and Tander lost time with a loose driver’s side door, but remained within striking distance.
A heavy accident for Todd Hazelwood at the Metal Grate on lap 102 triggered the second safety car, compressing the field and reshuffling strategy. Another intervention followed on lap 113 after Jake Kostecki hit the wall at Reid Park, prompting a flurry of pit stops that elevated Whincup ahead of McLaughlin.
With 48 laps remaining, fuel numbers became critical. Multiple safety cars in the closing stages added complexity, including a major incident at The Chase between Chaz Mostert and Cameron Waters that eliminated Tickford Racing from contention.
Van Gisbergen opted for an aggressive strategy, pitting for fresh tyres and fuel under caution to attack in the final stint. A late safety car caused by contact between Garry Jacobson and Richie Stanaway gave Whincup the opportunity to top up and rejoin fourth, setting up a multi car fight for victory.
A final incident at The Elbow involving Andre Heimgartner brought out the seventh safety car of the day, creating the decisive one lap shootout.
Final lap duel
At the restart, McLaughlin and van Gisbergen resumed a rivalry that had defined much of the season. Despite intense pressure through Hell Corner and up Mountain Straight, McLaughlin executed a flawless final tour, edging clear over the top of the mountain and managing the run to The Chase to secure the win.
Courtney resisted sustained attacks from Whincup to hold third, while the recovering Erebus Motorsport entry of David Reynolds and Luke Youlden finished fifth.
With his 18th win of the season, McLaughlin extended his championship lead to 622 points over van Gisbergen with three rounds remaining. The Gold Coast 600 loomed as the next opportunity to wrap up both the drivers’ title and the Pirtek Enduro Cup.
After nearly 1000 kilometres of attrition, strategy gambles and seven safety cars, the 2019 Bathurst 1000 was ultimately decided by a single lap. McLaughlin delivered when it mattered most.
