Bathurst 500: Anton de Pasquale ready to step into Scott McLaughlin’s shoes for Dick Johnson Racing debut
If jumping into Scott McLaughlin’s prized Supercars seat at Ford wasn’t tough enough, Anton de Pasquale’s first race for Dick Johnson Racing is at ‘our most iconic track’.
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Anton de Pasquale has admitted he “still has a lot to learn” as he prepares to make his debut in Australia’s fastest Ford.
Anointed the next Scott McLaughlin when he was signed by Dick Johnson Racing as the three-peat champion’s replacement, de Pasquale will be hurled into the hot-seat this weekend when he takes on Holden at Mount Panorama in the Supercars’ season opener.
The former Erebus driver will be under immediate pressure to make his mark after beating out a host of rivals to win McLaughlin’s prized seat following the reigning champion’s move to America to chase his IndyCar dream.
Just days out from taking to Mount Panorama in what is expected to be the field’s fastest Ford, de Pasquale spoke about the herculean challenge of living up to his all-conquering predecessor.
“We have come out of a shake down and a test and so far it is all positive,” de Pasquale said.
“We have stuck to our plan and worked out a lot about the car. I still have a lot to learn about trying to drive these things fast like the two other guys that came before me, but so far so good. I am looking forward to Bathurst.”
De Pasquale admitted his all new Mustang will not be his only challenge with Mount Panorama to host a rare sprint round in addition to the iconic 1000km which will be run later this year.
“It is unusual because you usually come here late in the year and with a co-driver,” de Pasquale said.
“You are only usually thinking about Sunday and that it only matters for one lap at the end. This time we have two 250km races, so you have a chance to back it up a day after and rectify anything you didn’t get right. I have done a sprint race there in Super2 so I have a bit of experience and I think it will be really cool.”
The first of two races to be held at Mount Panorama this year, with the iconic 1000km endurance event slated for October 10, de Pasquale applauded the move to start the season with a Bathurst sprint race after the Adelaide 500 was controversially canned.
“It should be good,” de Pasquale said.
“40-odd laps around Bathurst flat-out is going to be a spectacle and it is our most iconic track, so we love to go there no matter what time of year it is.”
Returning DJR driver Will Davison is also out to resurrect his career after being signed as Fabian Coulthard’s replacement in the heavyweight team.
“We have been talking about this for months,” Davison said.
“So we just want to get the show on the road. I want to start this new journey. We just want to get racing and the preparation has been great. My small taste of the car has been very good and I just want to hit the track in anger. The first time we do it in true practice is what matters.”
Originally published as Bathurst 500: Anton de Pasquale ready to step into Scott McLaughlin’s shoes for Dick Johnson Racing debut
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